Solstice joy
By Tanya Steele
Cold hands, warm hearts and the lights of hundreds of lanterns filled the streets of Belgrave once more for the annual solstice parade over the weekend.
The Belgrave Lantern Parade celebrated the winter solstice on Saturday 20 June, as people from all across Melbourne came and lined the streets to watch the parade.
As darkness settled, local wizard Baba Desi emerged along the main street, and the parade began in earnest. Belly dancers, cos players, kids, and more. Lanterns of every variety filled the streets, with students and families from primary schools across the region attending, proudly showing off their own creations for the big day.
Photographers and videographers moved about in and among the crowd, capturing the moments in a glowing tableau as thousands attended to both watch and march in the parade.
Turn to page 10 for more
Harry Singh honoured for road safety work as Belgrave Police keep the...
Elias flame alive
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Belgrave Police honoured the memory of fallen constable Elias Gerovasilis for a second year, presenting the annual memorial award in his name to Harvinder (Harry) Singh for his work in road safety across the Yarra Ranges Police Service Area.
The ceremony, held at Belgrave Police Station on Tuesday 16 June, brought together police members and the Gerovasilis family to remember the young officer, who died in a motorcycle ac-
cident in Emerald on 6 August 2024 while riding with friends.
Although constable Gerovasilis spent just eight weeks at Belgrave Police Station after graduating from the academy, colleagues said he made a lasting impact on the station and wider community in that short time.
The award was established in his honour and is peer-nominated, recognising police members who demonstrate strong commitment to road safety through enforcement, education, community engagement and mentoring. It is presented
annually in line with his graduation date of 23 May.
Accepting the award, Mr Singh said it was both a privilege and a personal responsibility.
“I feel amazing, it’s been an honour to receive an award on Elias, he was my colleague and he just left his legacy behind,” Mr Singh said.
“Road safety is something I’m passionate about, and I will continue my best to reduce road trauma and keep our community safe.”
Janine Gerovasilis, the Elias’s mother, de-
scribed the occasion as “bittersweet”, saying the continued recognition of her son brought both pride and sadness.
Senior Sergeant Cassandra Forbes said the award had become an important part of the station’s healing process and a way to honour Mr Gerovasilis’ legacy.
A candle-lighting ceremony formed part of the commemoration, with family and colleagues joining in reflection before attendees gathered for morning tea.
Read the full story on page 4
Baba Desi came out with some helpers for the solstice, greeting the crowd as the sun set. (Patrick Poke)
Sanctuary jobs are in jeopardy, says union
By Gabriella Vukman
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has raised concerns that proposed job cuts at Zoos Victoria, including at Healesville Sanctuary, could place pressure on staff and undermine conservation work.
The proposed restructure comes as Zoos Victoria allegedly continues to face financial pressure, with the rise of broader scrutiny of funding arrangements across Victorian public entities.
Zoos Victoria staff have been informed of proposed changes as part of an internal consultation process required under the enterprise agreement.
The process allows staff and unions to provide feedback and alternative proposals before any final decisions are made.
Zoos Victoria has indicated the organisational changes are not finalised and are still in the proposal stage, with formal consultation currently under way.
Zoos Victoria did not provide comment, nor further information on the matter, rendering the active consultation process the reason for the organisation’s silence.
The CPSU said while consultation is required, there are no individual job protections under the current enterprise agreement, and broader industrial bargaining will not take place until the agreement is renegotiated in coming years.
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary Jiselle Hanna said the proposed changes could have significant impacts across Healesville Sanctuary’s operations.
A key concern for the union is the restructuring of Life Science management roles, which would see specialist positions replaced with broader “precinct manager” roles overseeing multiple teams across different sites.
“The proposed job cuts at Healesville Sanctuary will have devastating impacts on all programs run at the Sanctuary and the important work undertaken by the Life Science Team,” Ms Hanna said.
“These Precinct Manager roles will have impossible workloads, managing multiple teams across Healesville, and Kyabram Fauna Park,” she said.
The CPSU also raised concerns about proposed reductions in administrative staff at the Healesville Animal Hospital, warning this could shift non-clinical duties onto veterinary staff.
“The cuts also include administration jobs at the Healesville Animal Hospital,” Ms Hanna said.
“This means vets and nurses will be answering phones and doing data entry instead of caring for animals.”
Healesville Sanctuary is home to an array of conservation and breeding programs focused on native Australian wildlife, including threatened species recovery, veterinary care, and habitat management.
These programs are delivered by specialist
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teams working across animal care, veterinary science and conservation breeding, with the Life Science division forming a central part of the Sanctuary’s day-to-day operations.
Staff in these teams are responsible for both the welfare of animals in care and the delivery of long-term conservation outcomes for species across Victoria.
Ms Hanna also noted members fear the changes could lead to burnout due to increased workloads, and a loss of specialist knowledge within the organisation.
“These cuts are an awful deal for the workers, and for families, visitors, schools and the animals,” she said.
“The workers who remain will be expected to do more with less. That means increased workloads, higher stress, burnout risks and the loss
decades of collective knowledge and experience.”
She also said the union would continue to push back against the proposed changes during the upcoming consultation period, with support from the broader community.
“We will fight to stop these cuts, with the support of Victorians who love our zoos and the essential conservation work they do,” Ms Hanna said.
The CPSU has confirmed it will lodge an alternative proposal on behalf of members as part of the consultation process, which is expected to run over the coming weeks.
As consultation continues, staff and management are expected to work through feedback and alternatives before any final structure is confirmed.
Staff shaken by break-in at Upwey cafe
By Tanya Steele
Staff at a beloved local cafe in Upwey have been left shaken after an early morning robbery last week.
Maria’s Cafe in Upwey were allegedly burgled on Tuesday 16 June, is asking other businesses in the area to stay alert after three people forced entry into the back entry of the premises.
“Unfortunately, our lovely Maria café was broken into around 5.20am on Tuesday, three hooded suspects wearing gloves forced entry through the back door and took some things of value,” read the social media post.
“This is a post to sadly remind all our local businesses on the main street to be vigilant,” it said.
The back-door break-in and the alleged theft of a substantial amount of cash from the business’s safe have the Maria’s Cafe staff encouraging people across the area to be aware of the risks. Staff came close to being face-to-face with the alleged robbers as the break-in occurred in the early morning of Tuesday 16 June at around 5.20am, less than an hour before staff arrived for their morning shift.
The manager at the cafe told Star News staff were a bit shaken and upset as they came in to work that day to find the back door had been busted in and the safe had been accessed, with the store’s cash float stolen.
“We’ll make sure staff arrive together from now,” they said.
“We have had a bit of graffiti and a few things broken around the property, but never been burgled before.”
An unfortunate first for the cafe, a break-in can be an unfortunate blow dealt to any small business, and the hills are not immune, with several robberies reported for businesses around the Kallista township in July last year.
Localpolicearenowinvestigating,andanyone with any information should contact the Belgrave Police Station or report online to Crimestoppers.
Lucky driver after crash in Kalorama
A young teenage male is in now in hospital after a car accident in Mount Dandenong on Wednesday afternoon.
The Mount Dandenong Tourist Road was the site of a single-vehicle car accident midweek and the driver is fortunate to be stable in hospital.
A representative from Police media sad the car had gone down an embankment and a Kalorama Fire Brigade member said the CFA arrived to find around 10 pedestrian vehicles at the site of the accident.
Community had already called an ambulance and police and were helping to keep traffic under control and talking to the driver, who was conscious but trapped underneath his vehicle.
“It was quite amazing,” said the Kalorama Fire Brigade member.
Four CFA units from Olinda, Kalorama & District, and Monbulk assisted Victoria Police
CFA said the young man was lucky after he crashed his car in Mount Dandenong on Wednesday afternoon. (On File: 233097).
that afternoon and a spokesperson from Ambulance Victoria said they responded to the reports of the incident in Mount Dandenong at around 1.30pm.
“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics assessed and treated one patient at the scene,” they said.
“A teenage male was transported by road ambulance to the hospital with upper body in-
juries in a stable condition.”
There have been 116 lives lost on Victorian roads this year and young drivers are an age bracket at higher risk.
Young people between 18 and 25 years old continue to be vastly over-represented in road trauma statistics and young Victorians in their first year of driving are almost four times more likely than more experienced drivers to be involved in a fatal or serious injury accident, with reasons ranging from lack of experience and ability to poor choices.
Police continue to focus their efforts on offending that contributes to approximately two thirds of all road trauma, something known as single acts of non-compliance.
This can be anything from low level speeding, low range drink driving, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, distraction caused by mobile phones and seatbelt noncompliance.
Maria’s staff were left shaken after the break-in and are asking local businesses to be vigilant. (Maria’s Cafe).
The threat of job cuts has reached Healesville Sanctuary (file:541890).
The Sanctuary is home to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. (Zoos Victoria)
Crime down across Outer East region
The latest crime statistics for Victoria are in, with a decrease in both the total number of offences and the crime rate recorded.
There were 625,426 criminal offences recorded in Victoria in the 12 months to March 2026 – a decrease of 1524 or 0.2 per cent.
The crime rate which factors in population growth decreased by 1.9 per cent (8690.8 offences per 100,000 people).
Victoria Police’s deputy commissioner of regional operations Bob Hill said while pleasing to see overall crime slightly decrease, the reality is that overall crime in Victoria still remains far higher than both police and the community would like.
“This is why we are absolutely committed to ensuring our highly trained officers are where they are needed most – in the community, patrolling the streets, deterring criminal behaviour and preventing crime,” he said.
“This approach is pivotal to achieving Victoria Police’s goal of reducing serious and violent crime by 5 per cent each year.
“The early indications are we’re making some positive steps to achieve this with armed robberies, carjackings, and aggravated home burglaries all reducing.
“Our dedicated officers continue to work extremely hard around-the-clock to protect the community, with a record 210 offenders arrested every day.”
It is the first time in almost four years that Victoria has recorded a decrease but it comes in the context of overall crime having increased by 26 per cent over the past three years.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said there’s more work to do but crime is down, youth offending is down and more people are being jailed not bailed.
“We give police what they need to keep Victorians safe – more powers, tougher laws and stronger consequences,” he said.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest statistics for the Outer East region:
In the Yarra Ranges, criminal incidents were down 2.2 per cent on the previous year (5798 from 5926), with 31.6 per cent having charges laid, 21.5 per cent yet to have charges laid and 46.9 per cent unsolved.
Lilydale (1150 incidents, down from 1220), Mooroolbark (775up from 768), Chirnside Park (654 down from 675), Kilsyth (456 down from 470) and Healesville (347 up from 314) were the crime hotspots.
Theft from a motor vehicle (564 incidents), breaching a family violence order (529), theft from a retail store (517), criminal damage (516) and other theft (474) were the most common offences.
In Knox, criminal incidents were down 7.6 per cent on the previous year (7862 from 8507), with 28.4 per cent having charges laid, 16.9 per cent yet to have charges laid and 54.7 per cent unsolved.
Boronia (1420 incidents, up from 1414), Wantirna South (1388 down from 1608), Ferntree Gully (1205 down from 1374), Rowville (1186 up from 1180) and Bayswater (888 up from 932) were the crime hotspots.
Theft from a motor vehicle (1375 incidents), theft from a retail store (778), other theft (740), criminal damage (606) and breaching a family violence order (464) were the most common offences.
In Maroondah, criminal incidents were down 0.2 per cent on the previous year (6811 from 6828), with 35.9 per cent having charges laid, 16.6 per cent yet to have charges laid and 47.5 per cent unsolved.
Ringwood (3029 incidents, up from 2901), Croydon (1584 up from 1503), Bayswater North (650 down from 702), Ringwood East (503 down from 568) and Heathmont (255 down from 352) were the crime hotspots.
Theft from a motor vehicle (875 incidents), breaching bail conditions (697), theft from a retail store (619), other theft (526), and criminal damage (412) were the most common offences.
In Cardinia, criminal incidents were down 4.2 per cent on the previous year (6510 from 6797), with 29.2 per cent having charges laid, 17.4 per cent yet to have charges laid and 53.5 per cent unsolved.
Pakenham (3533 incidents, down from 3761), Officer (1113 down from 1168), Beaconsfield (454 up from 422), Koo Wee Rup (226 up from 216) and Emerald (156 down from 184) were the crime hotspots.
Theft from a motor vehicle (1005 incidents), breaching a family violence order (611), other theft (599), criminal damage (505) and theft from a retail store (405) were the most common offences.
Victoria Police analysis suggests it will take some time before crime reduces to levels more traditionally seen in Victoria, with the cost of living, recidivism, organised crime and drugs remaining the main drivers, enabled through the increased use of technology.
Statewide, the top three contributors to overall crime consistently remain breaches of orders (86,227 +6 per cent), theft from motor vehicles (80,786 offences -2 per cent) and assaults (52,811 -0.1 per cent).
During this reporting period, Victoria Police arrested a record 26,808 people a combined 76,610 times – a record level of enforcement by hardworking officers.
IN BRIEF
Bins set alight in Lilydale
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a number of suspicious bin and spot fires which occurred in Lilydale on the night of Friday 19 June.
Investigators are aware of nine possibly linked incidents which occurred between 8.45 pm and 10.30pm on 19 June.
A chair was damaged at Lilydale Marketplace about 8.45pm. A bin was set alight on Main Road about 9.10pm. Another bin was torched on Clarke Street about 9.25pm. Another two bins on the same street were also set alight. Bins in Hutchinson Street were also set alight about 9.35pm before two skips and a bin were set alight in Beresford Road around 10.20pm.
Fortunately, no one was injured, and all fires were extinguished before causing serious damage.
The Lilydale Fire Brigade kept the community updated on their Facebook page during the incident, encuring them that multiple isolated fires in the vicinity of Lilydale Main Street continuef to be quickly contained, preventing them from spreading to nearby structures. “At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the wider community and our members will remain available throughout the night to respond if required,” they wrote.
Anyone who witnessed the fires, with footage or further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Firewood collection areas to close soon
The public will not be able to legally collect firewood from state forests and public land after Tuesday 30 June.
Penalties apply if you are caught collecting firewood outside the designated collection seasons or areas. Firewood collection areas will reopen in spring on Monday 1 September.
Financial assistance is available for people on low incomes who buy firewood. Visit: ffm.vic.gov. au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support? or services.dffh.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession
Young CFA members meet up with local police
Boronia Police have welcomed the Bayswater CFA Junior Fire Brigade to their station for a behind-the-scenes visit aimed at introducing young volunteers to emergency services careers on 19 June.
Sergeant Pete and Senior Constable Zac hosted the group, giving them a tour of the station and answering questions about policing and day-today duties. Police said the visiting juniors were a “great bunch of youth” and expressed hope some may pursue careers in emergency services in the future.
Families interested in the Country Fire Authority’s Junior Volunteer Development Program for children aged 11 to 15 can find more information via the CFA website: shorturl.at/TjEvm Owner sought for lost bracelet
Police are seeking the owner of a gold-coloured bracelet found in the car park shared by Spotlight and The Good Guys at 224–234 Canterbury Road, Bayswater North, in early May.
The bracelet was handed in to Mooroolbark Police Station and is being held for safekeeping.
Anyone who believes the bracelet may belong to them is encouraged to contact Mooroolbark Police on 9725 9999 and quote reference number 202605-E-1848.
Tel: 5957 3700
Email: enquiries@mailcommunity.com.au
Distribution Enquiries Tel: 1300 654 910
Advertising Group Advertising Manager –Tracey Aitken
Email: advertising@mailcommunity.com.au
Editorial Email: editor@mailcommunity.com.au
Crime came down statewide and the stats are reflected in the Outer East. (File)
Singh receives coveted award
By Shamsiya
Belgrave Police honoured the memory of fallen constable Elias Gerovasilis for a second year on Tuesday 16 June, presenting the Elias Gerovasilis Memorial Award to Harvinder (Harry) Singh in recognition of his outstanding commitment to road safety across the Yarra Ranges Police Service Area.
The annual award held at Belgrave Police Station was established following the death of constable Elias Gerovasilis, who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in the Emerald area on 6 August, 2024, while riding with friends.
Although he spent only eight-weeks at Belgrave Police Station after graduating from the police academy, colleagues said his impact on the station and the wider Belgrave and Tecoma community was immediate and deeply felt.
Accepting the award, Mr Singh reflected on both his personal connection to Mr Gerovasilis and the responsibility he feels in continuing his legacy.
“I feel amazing, it’s been an honour to receive an award on Elias, he was my colleague and he just left his legacy behind,” Mr Singh said.
“Receiving an award in his name means a lot to me. Road safety is something I’m passionate about, and I will continue my best to reduce road trauma and keep our community safe.”
The award recognises a police member who has demonstrated outstanding effort and involvement in road safety within the Yarra Ranges Police Service Area, including enforcement, education, community engagement, and mentoring of other members.
The award is peer nominated and selected, and is presented annually in commemoration of Mr Gerovasilis’ graduation date of 23 May.
Several senior police leaders, including Eastern Region’s assistant commissioner, Russell Barrett used the ceremony to reflect on the enduring impact of Mr Gerovasilis’ death on the station and the wider policing community, and the importance of turning grief into action.
“Road policing and road trauma just affects us all,” Mr Barrett said.
“You don’t realise how much it affects us every day in policing, but when it’s one of our own, one of our family members, it brings us to the heart of what we do.”
Mr Barrett said while enforcement remains one of the most visible aspects of policing, education and community engagement are equally important in reducing road trauma and keeping road users safe.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Singh said the award carried deep personal meaning, both professionally and emotionally.
“We gather to remember my fallen brother in blue, Elias. He was a valued colleague, and his loss is still felt by many of us, today” he said.
“Road safety is not achieved by one person alone. I would like to thank my boss, supervisors, colleagues and my family for their support and encouragement. Their guidance and teamwork have played a significant part in everything I have achieved.”
Mr Gerovasilis’ family also attended the ceremony, including his mother, Janine; father, Bill; older brother, Joaquim and younger sister
For Ms Gerovasilis, the ceremony was described as both emotional and meaningful, as the family marked the second year of the award created in her son’s memory.
“It’s actually a very bittersweet day for us,” Ms Gerovasilis said.
“A lot of emotions, happiness for what Belgrave have done to continue Elias’ legacy, but sadness as well. Without this happening, Elias would never have gone ahead, so it’s very special.”
Ms Gerovasilis said it was a source of immense pride for the family that an annual award continues to honour her son’s memory despite his short time in policing.
“Definitely, very much so. Makes us very proud actually,” she said.
Ms Gerovasilis described Elias as caring, family-oriented and deeply connected to those around him.
“He loved his little sister, loved his older brother. He was very caring and I’ve learned a lot about him since his passing. This career
was his calling,” she said.
Ms Gerovasilis also used the occasion to deliver a message about road safety and loss.
“For everyone to be safe on the roads and get home to your families, because no one wants to go through what we’re going through,” she said.
Senior sergeant Cassandra Forbes, officer in charge of Belgrave Police Station, said the memorial award has become an important part of the station’s ongoing response to grief and its commitment to reducing road trauma.
“It’s been a really important part of the grieving process for members,” Ms Forbes said.
“When it hits home and it’s one of our own, the impact is a lot greater. Putting that into something positive just helps everyone through this journey.”
Ms Forbes said the award reflects Mr Gerovasilis’ enduring influence on the station, despite his short time there.
“It shows what sort of person he was. Even in a very short period of time, he made a big impact on this community and this police station,” she said.
Although Ms Forbes did not personally know Mr Gerovasilis, she said colleagues consistently described him as a “kind, genuine, bubbly person” who was well respected and much loved.
While much of the ceremony focused on road safety and Mr Gerovasilis’ legacy, there were also deeply personal tributes from those who knew him best.
First constable Georgia Iliadis, a close friend of Mr Gerovasilis from their academy days, spoke of their enduring friendship and assured his family that he would “never ever be forgotten”.
She said Mr Gerovasilis remained a constant presence in her memories of policing and presented a personal keepsake to his family in tribute to their shared journey into Victoria Police.
A candle-lighting ceremony formed part of the event, with members of Mr Gerovasilis’ family joining police colleagues in a symbolic reflection on service, sacrifice and remembrance.
The presentation concluded and attendees gathered for morning tea provided by the Belgrave Police Social Club.
Poppy.
Harvinder (Harry) Singh joins the Gerovasilis family in a candle-lighting ceremony honouring the legacy of Elias Gerovasilis. (560395)
Police members, the family of Elias Gerovasilis and special guests attended the Elias Gerovasilis Memorial Award ceremony on Tuesday 16 June. (560395)
Senior sergeant Cassandra Forbes speaks at the Elias Gerovasilis Memorial Award ceremony held at Belgrave Police Station. (560395)
L-R: Kiran Kaur, Harvinder Singh and Amber Thind. (560395)
L-R: Joaquim, Bill, Harry, Janine, Poppy, Russell and Cassandra. (Shamsiya Hussainpoor: 560395)
Hussainpoor
Belgrave a hotspot for dog incidents
Belgrave has become a trouble area for the local posties in their daily deliveries due to dog-related events, as nationwide posties face growing danger as dog incidents reach nine a day.
Statewide safety data from Australia Post has revealed Victoria has had 200 incidents with hotspots identified in Belgrave, Sunshine West and Essendon Fields from 17 November 2025 to 17 May this year.
Australia Post General Manager Safety, Russell Munro, said dog-related incidents remain a serious and persistent safety risk for posties.
“Posties encounter multiple dogs every day while delivering, and some can pose a real safety risk, “ he said.
“What seems like a routine delivery can quickly escalate, and our posties can’t predict how a dog may react, regardless of breed or temperament.”
Australia Post is urging dog owners to take action as the new data reveals 47 Posties nationwide are encountering an aggressive or unrestrained dog each week, with more than 1,200 incidents in the last six months.
Nationwide, there have been 410 in NSW, 273 in Queensland and 200 in Victoria, which is a a five per cent increase on the same period last year, raising serious concerns for the safety and well-being of frontline team members.
Most incidents have been reported to occur when dogs are not properly secured during deliveries and almost two-thirds of incidents occur on the street after a dog escapes a property or roams freely, with over a third of those incidents involving posties being chased down the street.
More than a third of all incidents take place on a customer’s property, often as a postie approaches or leaves the front door after making a delivery and encounters can escalate quickly,
imminent threat.
“While citronella gives our team members an extra layer of protection, prevention remains the most effective solution,” said Mr Munro.
“If you’re expecting a delivery, make sure your dog is securely contained in another room, behind a locked gate or safely restrained,” he said.
Mr Munro said that if residents are unable to safely contain their animals, parcel lockers can be an option.
“We encourage customers to consider using a 24/7 free and convenient parcel locker as a safer alternative,” said Mr Munro.
with posties suffering injuries, including bites, puncture wounds, scratches and lacerations.
In more serious cases, posties have been knocked off their vehicles or required hospital treatment.
“Our posties are working hard to deliver parcels safely and on time, and it’s worrying to see the number of incidents increasing,” said Mr Munro.
“With 9.8 million Aussies shopping online, deliveries and interactions at the front door are more frequent, creating highly stressful situations for dogs and increasing the risk for our team,” he said.
Tracey Henderson, Animal Behaviour Veterinarian and Director of the Dog Bite Prevention Project, said most dog owners see their dogs every day when they’re relaxed, familiar and behav-
ing normally around family members.
“Many owners don’t recognise the signs their dog may be displaying towards strangers or posties,” she said. “Dogs are deeply territorial and will protect both their property and their owners, particularly around their home.”
Australia Post has a safety measure in place that has been helping - a non-toxic citronella spray introduced as a last line of defence. In use for a year now, it plays an important role in protecting posties from aggressive dog encounters and is designed to briefly distract dogs, giving team members time to move to safety, and has proven effective in 95 per cent of cases in the past six months. Posties have also reported feeling safer on their rounds, knowing they have an additional tool to protect themselves if faced with an
Ms Henderson said that unpredictability, intense noise, delivery of unfamiliar items, and entry into their territory can make dogs feel threatened or scared, which in turn can drive aggressive behaviour - this is often the moment when posties are most at risk.
“Dogs are communicating with us all the time, learning to recognise these early signs of stress, anxiety, arousal or territorial behaviour can help prevent these situations from escalating before they reach the point of barking, lunging or biting,” she said.
All dog-related incidents are reported by Australia Post to their local councils to support enforcement and mitigate risk, and they may suspend deliveries to a property or street where it is unsafe.
Australia Post will continue to work with local councils and state governments to strengthen animal management laws that better protect their team members.
Yarra Ranges Council seeks safer crossings to save lives
Crossing the road should be simple and safe –but in many parts of the Yarra Ranges, it can be difficult and unsafe for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Yarra Ranges Council is advocating to the State Government, ahead of this year’s election, for a $4 million investment to deliver new pedestrian crossings at high-risk locations across the Yarra Ranges.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins said that increased visitation and growth in our towns puts increasing demand on local roads and highlights safety risks.
Cr Higgin said each year, more than 4.5 million people visit the region, mostly on weekends and public holidays.
“In many of our busiest areas, pedestrian and vehicle activity is simply outpacing the crossing infrastructure we have and there are limited or no safe crossing points available. For children, older residents and people with a disability, this can make it impossible to access the community without major safety risks,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that in 2026 we still have townships, with major State-Government managed arterial roads running through them, that do not have any signalised pedestrian crossings. In Victoria alone, 52 pedestrians lost their lives on the roads in 2025.
“Pedestrian crossings are a simple and effective way to reduce the road toll, and make our region safer for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists alike.”
Members of the community often provide feedback on where safer crossings are needed. Council will continue to assess these locations and advocate to the State Government for the highest priority sites to receive investment.
The list of priority locations for new pedestrian crossings include:
■ Kallista, on Monbulk Road near the roundabout.
■ Lilydale, along Swansea Road at the Olinda Creek Trail.
■ Mooroolbark, on Pembroke Road at the Brushy Creek Trail.
■ Mount Evelyn, on York Road at the Mount Ev-
The Warburton Highway in Seville East, historically unsafe for drivers and pedestrians, is one site the council wants a crossing. (File: 310598)
elyn Aqueduct Trail.
■ Olinda, on Mount Dandenong Road in the township.
■ Sassafras, on Mountain Highway in the township.
■ Seville East, on Warburton Highway near Peters Road and Old Warburton Highway.
■ Wandin North, on Warburton Highway near Alfred Street.
■ Yarra Glen, on Melba Highway near Armstrong Grove.
■ Yarra Junction, on Warburton Highway near Corduroy Road and the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail.
Cr Higgins said that working with the State Government was critical to addressing these road safety issues.
“We have a strong working relationship with the State Government, and we’ve been clear about the need for these crossings,” he said.
“Improving crossing infrastructure has both safety and social benefits.
“It helps people get around their own towns, but also reduces congestion by encouraging people to walk or ride locally.
“I ask all candidates for this year’s State Election, and all parties, to commit to making our community safer with new pedestrian crossings.”
Find out more about the council’s advocacy priorities at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/advocacy.
Belgrave has been named as worst in the state for dog related troubles with posties in data collected for the past six months. (Australia Post).
Australia Post is urging dog owners to take action. (Australia Post).
Belgrave has had a number of incidents reported by Australia Post, mostly from unsecured or roaming dogs. (Australia Post).
Mountain Men volunteer honoured at Casey Awards
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Several volunteers across the Yarra Ranges and surrounding districts have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community at Aaron Violi MP’s 2026 Casey Community Awards, held on Saturday 30 May.
The annual awards ceremony brought together dozens of grassroots volunteers and community organisations, with 51 recipients acknowledged for their service across the region.
Seven of the 51 recipients came from the Dandenongs and Hills region.
Among those recognised was Mountain Men’s vice-chair, Paul Rogers, who was nominated for his role as a founding member of the community group, which operates across the Dandenong Ranges and has played a significant role in creating connection among men throughout the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs.
His involvement with the organisation has included leadership of its job share initiative, as well as active participation in board meetings, games nights, and a range of other community activities aimed at strengthening social connection and support.
Mr Rogers said the recognition reflected the importance of community-led volunteering across the region.
“It’s not just one person, community work is everyone working together,” Mr Rogers said.
Mr Rogers said one of the organisation’s recent highlights had been hosting a men’s health forum, supported by Bendigo Bank in Monbulk, which helped spark important conversations around wellbeing.
He said the group plays an important role in providing connection, purpose, and support, particularly for men adjusting to retirement or seeking greater community involvement.
“It gives people purpose again. A lot of blokes come in not knowing what they’re going to do after retirement, and they find themselves again through the group,” Mr Rogers said.
Mr Rogers reflected on his broader volunteering background, including involvement with Lions Clubs, the CFA, and local emergency response efforts through community groups.
“I’ve been volunteering for around 30 years, including support during major storm recovery efforts in the Hills, where community members worked together to assist affected residents,” he said.
“It’s appreciated, but there are so many others in the community who also deserve recognition for what they continue to do.”
Over 3 million Victorians (nearly 60 per cent of the population aged 15 and over) contribute more than 732 million hours of their time to giving back to their communities.
Mr Violi said it was an honour to recognise
the many volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting others across the electorate.
“Our community owes its strength and warmth to the incredible people who quietly show up every day and give selflessly without ever asking for anything in return. We have such a strong spirit of volunteerism at the core of our community, and these awards are a small way to give back and say thank you to those who give so much of themselves to others,” he said.
The event was officiated by lifelong Wandin local and Wandin Toastmaster, Nola Sharp, and catered for by local social enterprise, TastyAz.
In a special moment to conclude the ceremony, Ms Sharp was herself presented with a surprise Casey Community Award, after being nominated by Mr Violi in recognition of her service to the Wandin community.
The awards served as a small gesture of appreciation for the vital role volunteering plays in the community.
Monbulk ‘Shedder’ feted
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Monbulk District Men’s Shed treasurer and vicepresident, Kees Kortekaas, was among those recognised as volunteers from the Dandenongs to the Yarra Valley and surrounding distrcits were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community at Aaron Violi MP’s 2026 Casey Community Awards, held on Saturday 30 May.
Mr Kortekaas was recognised for his extensive contribution to local volunteering and community initiatives.
He was nominated by community members who described him as “one of the most proactive volunteers in Monbulk”.
Mr Kortekaas said the recognition was appreciated, but he was quick to emphasise the collective nature of volunteering across the community.
“So many people deserve recognition. I’m just one small part of it, community work only happens because everyone is contributing in their own way,” Mr Kortekaas said.
versations about wellbeing. “That forum really showed how important these conversations are. Men’s health isn’t talked about enough, and the Shed helps create a space where people can actually open up,” Mr Kortekaas said.
Mr Kortekaas said the Men’s Shed plays an important role in providing connection and purpose, particularly for men adjusting to retirement or looking for renewed direction.
“A lot of people come in after they retire and they’re thinking, ‘what now?’ But over time they find themselves again through the Shed. There’s always something happening, someone to talk to, and a real sense of belonging,” he said.
At the Monbulk Men’s Shed, Mr Kortekaas plays a key leadership role as treasurer and vice president, helping to manage the organisation’s operations while also supporting its wider community activities. He said one of the recent highlights had been involvement in a men’s health forum, which helped encourage important con-
Beyond his work with the Men’s Shed, Mr Kortekaas has been involved in a range of community service roles, including volunteering with the Lions Clubs, the CFA, and the Monbulk Emergency Group. He said his volunteering journey spans around 30 years, including hands-on involvement during major storm recovery efforts in the Hills, where volunteers worked for weeks to support affected residents.
Mr Kortekaas also contributed to local community events, including stepping in to organise a PA system for a Monbulk book launch and street library dedication when assistance was needed.
According to the State of Volunteering in Victoria, the volunteering sector plays a significant role in the state’s economy, contributing an estimated $8.2 billion to Victoria’s Gross State Product. The report also highlights the personal costs involved for volunteers, with the average Victorian volunteer spending more than $1700 a year out-of-pocket...it notes that organisations typically reimburse around $1 for every $8 spent by volunteers.
Mr Kortekaas said those realities were rarely seen, but did not diminish people’s willingness to help. He said the experience of volunteering reinforced the importance of stepping up when the community needed it most.
While grateful for the recognition, he said it should be shared across the many volunteers who contribute quietly and consistently without acknowledgement.
Emerald Rotary hosts 36th charity debutante ball
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District has hosted its 36th Annual Charity Debutante Ball, bringing together 27 couples and about 385 guests for a formal evening at Cathies Lane Receptions in Wantirna.
The event, held on Saturday 13 June, welcomed debutantes aged between 16 and 21 from across the region, including Emerald, Cockatoo, Gembrook, Belgrave, Clyde North, Lilydale, Monbulk, Hoddles Creek and Neerim South.
The ball is not restricted to Emerald Secondary College students, with participants instead drawn from a broader range of local communities.
Traditional dress standards were observed on the night, with debutantes wearing white floor-length gowns and long white gloves, while partners wore white shirts and black tail suits. Corsages and buttonholes completed the formal attire.
Debutantes and their partners underwent several weeks of preparation, with dance instructors Gayle and Andrew Elliott from GA Events training the couples over six evenings ahead of the performance.
The evening began with formal introductions before the couples were presented to
dignitaries including Rotary Club of Emerald & District president Peter Brock, Cardinia Shire
Mayor Brett Owen, and Emerald Secondary College staff members Melissa Findlay and Meredith Savage.
A lively opening routine from the partners set the tone for the night, including a themed performance inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which drew strong audience engagement.
The couples then performed a series of traditional ballroom dances including salsa, waltz and tango, set to modern music.
Later in the evening, debutantes and partners invited a special guest each onto the dance floor, presenting them with a rose before sharing a dance.
After a dinner break, encore performances featured routines to Walk the Line, You Can’t Stop the Beat and Cotton Eye Joe, followed by a group dance to Spice Girls hit Spice Up Your
Life.
The evening concluded with guests joining the dance floor as DJ Frank Scalzo played a selection of disco music, while photography was provided by John Travers Photography.
The event was coordinated over several months by Rotarian Lyn Beckwith and a team including Shalini Penny, Linda Cullel, Rowan French, Gayle Barrot and John Henderson.
A raffle held on the night raised $960, with prizes donated by Barry Plant Real Estate Emerald, John Travers Photography and Paternoster Winery.
Organisers said the annual debutante ball remains a flagship event for the club, providing a milestone experience for young participants while raising funds and strengthening community connections.
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District said preparations are already under way for the next event, scheduled for Saturday 19 June 2027.
Aaron Violi presenting Monbulk Men’s Shed vice president Kees Kortekaas his award at the Casey Community Awards. (Supplied)
Mountain Men’s monthly job-share gardening group. (Supplied)
Paul Rogers at the Casey Community Awards night.
The boys take over the dance floor. (Supplied)
Vital lyrebird surveys begin
By Tanya Steele
The superb lyrebird, a vital species of the Dandenong Ranges, will soon have a dedicated fan base combing the forest listening for any trace of its musical mimicry as annual forest surveys begin.
Both a supreme vocal talent and a forest engineer, the unique birds will see volunteers comb through 800 hectares of the Sherbrooke Forest in dawn surveys, which began on 20 June, with the data to be collected by a local environmental group.
Running surveys across 4 July and 18 July, the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study group tracks the habits and movements of the lyrebirds and longtime member and local lyrebird expert, Dr Alex Maisey, describes the dawn events as “magical”.
Every year, the surveys monitor the number of male lyrebirds in Sherbrooke Forest and give the group an indication of how the species population is trending over time.
“The results help gather evidence to assess the effectiveness of Parks Victoria’s fox control program, deer control and weed work, which is undertaken by mostly undertaken by the Friends of Sherbrooke Forest,” Dr Maisey said.
Rising early, before the world’s best mimics, volunteers will navigate through the forest, revealing its secrets in the pre-dawn light and should be able to hear the famous mimic birds from up to 800 metres away, although the group aim to get closer to better record their locations.
Dr Maisey said the anticipation builds as the forest gradually awakens and volunteers will hear owls, possums and gliders, as their senses tune into the sounds of the environment around them.
“Waiting for the first lyrebird to sing is always a highlight, and there is something special about hearing the dawn chorus unfold as different species begin calling through some of the tallest forests on Earth,” he said.
This time of year, male lyrebirds can be heard singing madly through the forest, and Dr Maisey said they are putting lots of energy into telling the
females where they are.
“They’re trying to convince them that they are great singers and dancers, and defending their territory from neighbouring males,” he said.
While the males are busy singing, the female lyrebirds have been busy.
“Female lyrebirds have mostly built their nests by now, with no help from the boys and are being very selective about deciding on which male they will mate with,” said Dr Maisey.
“It is likely that only the best males are chosen, as it is very hard to impress a female lyrebird,” he said.
The fascinating courtship of the lyrebird is very specific indeed, and Dr Maisey said the boys must coordinate their dance moves with their particular dance songs.
“These are often mistaken for human sounds,” he said.
“It is likely that the accuracy of their mimicry must be spot-on if a female is to be convinced to mate with a male, and this selection is theorised to have driven the development of those flashy tails on the males.”
Volunteers work together once they hear the lyrebirds singing and record the direction, time and rough distance so they can triangulate each male’s approximate location.
“Occasionally, a lyrebird is seen roosting close to a survey post, and a lucky volunteer might witness the bird singing for up to 20 minutes before gliding to the forest floor,” said Dr Maisey.
Formed in 1958 to both protect and watch the Superb Lyrebird, the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group is the oldest volunteer group in Victoria, and Dr Maisey said the surveys have been going intermittently since the 1970’s.
Pine forests were removed from the park, and
cat curfews were brought in by the local council, which was called the
time.
“Fox control was implemented using best practice from the late 1990s onwards,” he said. So far, the surveys have shown a considerable increase in the lyrebird population, a huge positive for the species.
“This is a rare conservation success story in a time of biodiversity crisis,” said Dr Maisey.
People should contact the study group to register, and Dr Maisey said after the morning survey, the volunteers return to a welcome hot cuppa by the fire.
“Also a survey-special ‘toad in a hole’,” he said, referring to the hearty breakfast staple of an egg cooked in a slice of bread on the barbecue.
People interested in the upcoming surveys should contact the group via their website and will need a torch, pen or pencil, compass or smartphone, plus a gold coin donation to volunteer for the vital surveys, which start at 6am at the Grants Picnic Ground in Kallista.
The Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study group has also released a detailed map with grid references on their social media, encouraging people to tell them about lyrebirds they have seen in Sherbrooke Forest and the surrounding areas.
Visitors to the forest who are lucky enough to spot the birds can send specific information on locations to sherbrookelyrebirds@gmail.com
From farm waste to paper: Mathieu’s journey of discovery
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A Mount Dandenong resident with a long-standing “love for paper” has launched an Australian business importing agricultural waste paper, in hopes to bring what he describes as a widely adopted European and Canadian innovation to the local market.
The founder of Simply Paper, Mathieu Dechamps, said his frustration at being unable to source locally made paper after the closure of Opal Australian Paper’s Maryvale mill prompted him to investigate where paper comes from and how it is made.
“At the Learning Rangers Learning Centre in Olinda, where we work with children with dyslexia, dysgraphia and other learning difficulties, I was responsible for buying all the paper and stationery, and that’s what made me look more closely at where paper comes from and how it’s made,” Mr Dechamps said.
“I started researching alternatives to traditional wood pulp paper, particularly as I became more aware of global shifts in paper production linked to deforestation concerns and rising demand.”
He said agricultural waste paper is already widely used in parts of Europe and Canada, and it stood out as a potential solution, particularly as Australia was not yet producing it at scale.
Simply Paper now imports paper made from agricultural waste, a material created by upcycling farm residues such as sugarcane bagasse, hemp, rice straw and wheat straw, it’s also linked more broadly to other organic and industrial by-products, including livestock manure, crop residues, horticultural plastics, and fruit and vegetable processing waste such as peels, skins and seed pods.
Nationally, the scale of agricultural and related sector waste is significant.
According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, total agricultural and forestry waste is estimated at 16.3 million tonnes, of this, about 16.1 million tonnes is organic material, most of which is reused beneficially on-farm, including being ploughed back into soil.
Around 97,500 tonnes of plastic and 159,000 tonnes of workshop waste are also generated.
Across all sectors, Australia produces approximately 4.9 million tonnes of paper and cardboard waste each year, with about 1.9 million
tonnes ending up in landfill and just under 1.0 million tonnes exported for recycling.
“Agricultural waste paper offers an alternative pathway by replacing traditional wood pulp, with benefits including reduced deforestation, lower air pollution associated with agricultural burning, and support for a more circular approach to materials use,” Mr Dechamps said.
“One of the most striking comparisons is the fibre requirement in conventional paper production, it takes around 25 to 26 mature trees to produce a single tonne of virgin fibre paper.”
In discussions with a local council, Mr Dechamps said internal calculations suggested that switching to Simply Paper’s product could save around 150 trees per year - equivalent to roughly half a football field of trees for just one small council.
Mr Dechamps said waste materials used in agricultural paper production are often already being burned for energy, but argued they could be better utilised through upcycling into high-
er-value products.
“The quality of agricultural waste paper has improved significantly, to the point where it is largely indistinguishable from conventional paper in everyday use, aside from being slightly less white due to gentler bleaching methods,” he said.
“It is 100 per cent recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.”
Mr Dechamps said the biggest barrier to wider adoption in Australia has been convenience and procurement systems, particularly among large organisations and government buyers.
“While the concept is widely understood and seen as logical in principle, change is often slowed by bureaucracy and preference for established supply chains,” he said.
“The biggest challenge is the convenience factor, and initial disruption is often followed by longer-term benefits once systems adapt.”
Simply Paper has begun expanding its reach through commercial supply channels, including distribution via Dorset Business Solutions in
Bayswater, which services parts of Melbourne’s east.
The company is also in discussions to expand nationally through Office Choice, a member-based independent office supplies network.
Mr Dechamps said engagement with businesses has been positive, particularly as organisations look to reduce environmental impact.
“Some businesses switching to agricultural waste paper can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 40 per cent,” Mr Dechamps said.
“Government uptake has been more complex, despite ongoing discussions, due to procurement rules and internal policy constraints.”
Mr Dechamps said there has been interest from political representatives, including members of the Greens, with discussions described as positive and encouraging.
He said international markets are already moving ahead, with countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Canada among the largest importers of agricultural waste paper, alongside growing uptake in parts of South America.
“Australia risks falling behind unless it accelerates adoption of alternative fibre sources already being used overseas,” Mr Dechamps said.
At a personal level, Mr Dechamps said the motivation behind Simply Paper is also tied to his children and a desire to reduce pressure on natural resources.
“For me, the real reason why I started doing this is because I have children and I don’t want them to grow up in a world where paper is not possible anymore because we’ve used too much of the natural resources,” he said.
“Sustainability should not be positioned as a premium option, it must remain accessible rather than being limited to those able to pay higher prices.”
Mr Dechamps hopes agricultural waste paper becomes a mainstream option in Australia, not only in offices but across printing and education sectors, where paper use remains significant despite increasing digital alternatives.
“I hope to see a broader shift in thinking around waste materials, where agricultural by-products are recognised as resources rather than disposal problems,” he said.
“Nothing is ever easy when you first start, but you have to be willing to deal with a bit of early inconvenience if you want things to improve in the long run.”
Shire of Sherbrooke at the
Dawn surveys for the Superb Lyrebird began in June. (Dr Alex Maisey).
Volunteers comb the pre-dawn forest by torchlight, tuning into the special beat track the males birds create. (Dr Alex Maisey)
Founder of SImply Paper, Mathieu Dechamps. (Stewart Chambers: 560281)
Angliss receives vital funds
By Tanya Steele
The Gully Market has been back at it and made another vital donation to the Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully.
Angliss staff and The Gully Market representatives gathered on Thursday 18 June, to honour the donation, which will go towards vital equipment for the hospital.
The Gully Market President, Ian Rice, said they were feeling proud to share news of the donation of $3,000.
“This takes it to $13,000 that we have donated since 2023,” he said.
Operating every Saturday and Sunday from the Upper Gully Station car park along Burwood Highway, the market volunteers were pleased to hear from Sarah Bartells from the Eastern Health Foundation and Angliss staff about how past donations had been put to work.
“The Gully market, they’ve always supported equipment, which has been fantastic,” said Ms Bartels.
Funding the purchase of equipment, the last few donations have been put towards both an upgraded patient monitor and specialised cribs for the maternity ward.
“Our 2025 donation was 5000 dollars and paid for two special cribs for the maternity ward, so that mothers who had caesarean births, or difficult births, could have the cribs beside their beds for easier feeding and bonding,” said Mr Rice.
Mr Rice said they will continue to place funds across local community groups and said they try to keep running costs low, and the bulk of their stall fees go towards these donations.
“I urge both public and stall holders to support our little community market, as we need both to continue to be able to support worthy causes such as this one,” he said.
Community Expo will help locals creat a Circle of Care
By Callum Ludwig
A free community expo is coming up next month which will help residents in the Outer East to discuss the important, if often confronting, topics of ageing, dying, death and grief.
‘Circle of Care’ is bringing together local service providers to provide practical information and support for people in the community on Wednesday 15 July.
Eastern Palliative Care (EPC) community engagement lead Adele Braun said they will have a table in the expo part of the event, with staff and volunteers available to chat to attendees.
“It’s very important to provide an informative, open and accessible way for people to discuss the topics of ageing, death, dying, and grief - because it’s often seen as a negative or perhaps morbid topic of discussion - yet it is a normal part of life - in fact - an inevitable part of life for each and every one of us,” she said.
“I know that I myself am a member of the so-called ‘sandwich generation’ where I have young children and ageing parents with varied health needs - and I have learnt an incredible amount since starting my role at EPC and I think it’s really important to share this with others in the community.
“Having as much support and knowing which services can help you through different phases of life is so incredibly important - especially if you are a carer, or the person experiencing a terminal illness.”
EPC clinical nurse consultant Samantha Holland will be presenting on ‘What is Community Palliative Care?’ at 11.50am and one of their registered nurses, Dannielle Clark, will be on the Q and A panel to answer any questions about palliative care.
Ms Braun said she thinks having more knowledge and understanding is so important. “Often when you are in the midst of dealing with a crisis, like caring for a loved one with a terminal illness - you are so caught up dealing with the day to day issues that perhaps you had not even had time to plan or research what assistance or support is available to you, or your family member, or friend, whatever the case may be,” she said.
“So many people tell me that they wish they knew about EPC earlier, or that they wish they had certain plans in place at an earlier stage.
“If you’re wondering about the things you might need to consider in planning, or you are curious to know more about at what stage you can refer to palliative care, or how the death and dying process might look in certain situations -
A free community expo is set to help provide information on the critical topics of ageing, dying, death and grief. (Shutterstock)
you would get a lot from the expo and the presentations.”
Home care provider Dovida will have a team from their Eastern Suburbs office along with palliative care nurse practitioner, Kathryn Bennett, on hand throughout the day to chat with attendees about home care, palliative care and end-of-life support.
Dovida community engagement officer Shona Ashworth said they’ll be handing out information to anyone wanting to understand their options, whether that’s for themselves or someone they love.
“As one of Australia’s largest home care providers, Dovida has been investing heavily in palliative care training for our caregivers and care managers, so families have access to a more prepared and confident care team when it matters most,” she said.
“We’ll have information on hand about that, as well as the End-of-Life Pathway under Support at Home, which gives people faster and more flexible access to support.
“Good end-of-life care at home isn’t just about having services turn up. It’s about building a network around the person well before a crisis hits, including family, caregivers, care managers and clinical support, all working from the same understanding of what that person wants.”
The program for the day will include a series of short presentations and a guest panel Q and A, including experts from Eastern Palliative Care, Eastern Health, Dovida and Compassionate Friends Victoria.
Ms Ashworth said events like Circle of Care create a safe, welcoming space to ask questions and learn from people who understand these
topics deeply and accessibility matters just as much as the information itself.
“These are conversations many people put off, often because they’re not sure how to start them or where to turn for trusted information,” she said.
“Families often want to support their loved one at home, but without the right knowledge they can feel frightened and underprepared when symptoms change quickly.
“The more people understand what to expect and where to turn, the more confident and capable they feel, that knowledge can be the difference between a family feeling alone and a family feeling genuinely supported.”
The event will be held on Wednesday 15 July at the Ringwood RSL between 10am and 2pm. Entry is free but bookings are essential via trybooking.com/events/landing/1596776.
Eastern Health staff and The Gully Market volunteers celebrate the donation. Left to right: Sarah, Ian, Edwina, Lou, Sharon, Rachel and Ella. (Tanya Steele: 560592).
Belgrave lights up the night
By Tanya Steele
Cold hands, warm hearts and a few faces covered in cinnamon sugar, the annual solstice parade saw the lights of hundreds of lanterns fill the streets of Belgrave once more for 2026.
Celebrating the winter solstice in true Hills style, the Belgrave Lantern Parade, now in its 19th year, saw thousands of people from all across Melbourne come and line the streets to watch the parade.
As darkness settled, local wizard Baba Desi emerged along the main street, and the parade
began in earnest.
The parade had a procession of fire dancers, pipers, belly dancers, cos players, kids, and more. Lanterns of every variety filled the streets, with students and families from primary schools across the region attending, proudly showing off their own creations for the big day.
The rain held off (mostly) and traders turned it up to eleven, serving hordes of people hot and tasty foods and drinks, from doughnuts to curry, as celebrations continued.
Solstice events are celebrated worldwide,
and in Australia, the winter solstice sees people attend icy ocean plunges, fire ceremonies and more. Lantern festivals have roots in Celtic traditions and are steeped in beliefs around death, rebirth and rejuvenation. From an astronomy viewpoint, in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on the day when the South Pole is tilted furthest from the sun, officially dated 21 June.
In Belgrave, as darkness descended, photographers and videographers moved about in and amongst the crowd, capturing the moments of the glowing, living tableau as thousands attend-
ed to both watch and march in the parade. CFA and local police were on scene with traffic control. With police reporting over social media, they were on hand to help a few lost children find their way in the crowds.
Now in its 19th year, Belgrave’s annual celebration is a huge undertaking for the local township and traders, and volunteers put a huge amount of time and fundraising into preparing for the big day. Celebrations continued into the night as crowds slowly dispersed and headed home into the icy darkness.
The parade continues as chill settles into the air. (Tanya Steele: 560879)
Lanterns of all kinds. (560879)
Local Yarra Ranges councillor Peter Mcilwain. (560879)
Quite a few jellyfish lanterns bobbed through the parade, striking and practical. (560879)
Youth performers entertained the crowds as the sun set. (560879)
Lights, wings and wonder. (560879)
Some enthusiastic festival goers even wore their lanterns on their heads. (560879) Local youth markets prepped for the afternoon. (560879)
Flame on! Faces gaze up as the fire performers weaved their magic. (560879)
WINTER WARMERS
Cognoscenti’s warm welcome
As the chill of winter settles across the Dandenong Ranges, there are few things more inviting than gathering with family and friends in a warm and welcoming restaurant.
In the heart of Belgrave,Cognoscenti Restaurant has become a favourite winter destination for locals and visitors seeking comfort, connection, and exceptional dining throughout the colder months.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Cognoscenti offers a cosy retreat from the cold, with diners drawn to the warmth and ambience created by the restaurant’s cosy fire and intimate surroundings.
The inviting setting makes it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a memorable meal, whether you’rre catching up with friends, celebrating with family, or enjoying a quiet evening out.
Open seven days a week, Cognoscenti provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a quality dining experience whenever the occasion arises. Winter dining is all about bringing people together, and Cognoscenti delivers an experience that encourages guests to slow down, unwind, and savour the season.
The restaurant’s carefully crafted menu offers a range of delicious dishes designed to be enjoyed in good company, while the warm hospitality of the team ensures every visit feels special.
Adding to the appeal are the restaurant’s popular weekly specials, providing diners with something different to enjoy throughout the week.
One of the highlights is the much-loved Sunday Roast, which has quickly become a favourite among locals.
Featuring all the comforting flavours of a traditional roast meal, it offers the perfect excuse for families and friends to gather around the table and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together.
Beyond the food, what truly sets Cognoscenti
apart is the atmosphere. The combination of the cosy fire, welcoming service, and charming dining space creates a sense of warmth that extends far beyond the temperature outside.
It’s a place where conversations linger, laughter is shared, and memorable moments are created.
For those looking to embrace the best of winter in Belgrave, Cognoscenti Restaurant offers the ideal combination of cosy ambience, delicious food, and genuine hospitality.
Whether you are visiting for the weekly specials, indulging in the popular Sunday Roast, or simply enjoying an evening beside the cosy fire with loved ones, Cognoscenti provides a winter dining experience that captures the very best of the season. Open seven days a week, it’s a welcoming destination for locals and visitors alike throughout the winter months and beyond.
Cosy up at Cognoscenti in Belgrave. (File)
Enjoy a warming meal at Cognoscenti this winter. (Supplied)
WINTER WARMERS
Can’t beat cooking with gas
There is a reason people still love cooking with gas. It feels immediate.
Turn the knob, spark the flame, and the heat is there. No waiting. No guessing.
Just a visible flame and a level of control that makes cooking feel more intuitive.
For regional Victorian households, LPG can bring that same cooking experience to homes that may not be connected to the mains gas network.
Whether it is a busy family kitchen, a country weekender, a farmhouse, or a home a little further out of town, bottled LPG can help keep the kitchen running without overcomplicating things.
And the appeal is not only practical. Cooking with gas has a certain rhythm to it.
The quick sizzle of onions hitting a hot pan.
The easy shift from a rolling boil to a gentle simmer.
The ability to bring heat up or down in a second. In other words, it puts the cook in control.
Of course, good cooking still depends on the basics: proper installation, regular appliance maintenance, and sensible use.
Gas appliances should always be fitted and serviced by qualified professionals, and used for the purpose they were designed for.
But when everything is set up properly,
You can’t beat cooking with gas. (Supplied)
the
WINTER WARMERS
Over 30 years of service
Oasis Air Conditioning and Solar is a growing family-owned and operated business that has been serving the Yarra Valley for more than 30 years. Founded by the Boer family in 1990, the business has built a strong reputation for quality workmanship, trusted advice and genuine customer care.
Located on Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock, the team is proud to provide excellent service to local homes and businesses. Rather than offering an overwhelming range of products, Oasis focuses on supplying and installing a carefully selected range of high-quality systems and services that they know will deliver reliable results for their customers.
As winter approaches, Oasis Air Conditioning and Solar should be front of mind as you prepare to brace the chill. The team supplies and installs air conditioning systems, Solar PV systems, and is also home to local, qualified electricians who can assist with a wide range of electrical services.
This winter, their focus is on the Daikin Alira X range, designed to deliver superior comfort, energy efficiency and convenience. One of the standout features is Daikin’s new Heat Boost Technology, which warms your home up to 25 per cent faster than previous models. Built-in Wi-Fi functionality also allows homeowners to control their system from a smartphone, meaning you can turn the heating on before you even arrive home. The Long Time Heating mode enables the unit to continue operating for up to 100 minutes, ensuring warmth and comfort when you need it most.
Beyond heating and cooling, Oasis Air Conditioning and Solar offers a broad range of electrical services for both residential and commercial customers. From new downlights and switchboard upgrades to generator backup systems and changeover solutions, the team has the experience and expertise to complete projects both large and small.
A-Grade electricians are employed as part of the Oasis team, allowing customers to access professional electrical services with confidence. They are happy to provide quotes tailored to your requirements.
The team also has access to Daikin hot water specialists, ensuring hot water systems are supplied and installed with expert care and knowledge. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your
or hot water system, government rebates may be available to help reduce the cost of installation.
With decades of experience, local knowledge and a commitment to quality customer service, Oasis Air Conditioning and Solar continues to help Yarra Valley residents stay comfortable all year round.
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program helps Victorian households and business-
es reduce energy costs by providing generous rebates on energy-efficient heating and cooling upgrades. You could receive up to $5000 in rebates when replacing an old gas wall heater, gas ducted heater, or outdated split system, with rental properties and businesses also eligible.
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heating, cooling, solar
Oasis Air Conditioning & Solar is conveniently located on the Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock. (Stewart Chambers: 560218)
Birrarung Valley Walk to connect city to Upper Yarra
By Callum Ludwig
The proposal for the Birrarung Valley Walk project is progressing quickly, with an official announcement of the project that will link the Birrarung from the city to deep into the Yarra Ranges.
By linking over 200km of trails, a multi-day hike from the river’s estuary in Williamstown to its source in the Upper Yarra dam will be almost entirely possible via one route.
In the announcement on Monday 15 June, Birrarung Valley Walk chair Bruce Parncutt AO said it’s the river that shaped this city, that sustained its First Peoples across countless generations and supplies the water we drink.
“In September 2017, something remarkable happened in the Victorian Parliament. Six Wurundjeri Elders entered the chamber and spoke in their traditional language in support of a bill,” he said.
“It was the first time in Victoria’s history that Traditional Custodians had been given a legally mandated voice in river management. And the first time a river in this country had been given “living entity” status.
“The Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act became law. Australia’s first legislation co-titled in a Traditional Owner language.”
It was co-titled Wilip-gin Birrarung murron or ‘Keep Birrarung alive’ and has gone on to influence the Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo (Yarra Strategic Plan) 2022-32.
The plan laid the foundation for the exploration of the Birrarung Valley Walk, a 13-day, 220km hike which will be one way ‘ordinary Victorians to experience their river, for ways to understand how important the river is and what it provides for each of us’ according to Mr Parncutt.
Mr Parncutt said they are announcing a walking trail that, on the basis of the evidence they’ve gathered, is unique on this planet.
“For the first time in any major city in the world, a great urban river will be walkable from its estuary to the mountain catchment that feeds it, entirely on public land,” he said.
“It will be a 220-kilometre open-air
institution. An ecological corridor. An environmental journey through the oldest, continuous living culture on earth. A platform for storytelling through our mobile app, for healing, for connection and for the long, patient work of caring for Country.
“And maybe one day, it will become a rite of passage for young people growing up in our State.”
At only one point will vehicle transfer be required to continue the walk, with trekkers having to drive from Mount Lofty to Lilydale to continue on their journey.
Mr Parncutt said Melbourne is a city of extraordinary cultural confidence.
“We’re a city that builds great institutions: The Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria. The Melbourne Cricket Ground. The National Gallery of Victoria,” he said.
“The Birrarung Valley Walk aspires to take its place alongside them, not as infrastructure, but as a gift to future Melbourne – a piece of civic imagination that says we looked at our river and its valley and decided it should be understood.
“And we decided to do this together.”
80 per cent of the project already consists of 177.3km of formal trails where no work will be required. A further 4.7km (2 per cent) are informal trails already in use that will just require upgrades and formalisation, 23.1km (11 per cent) are formal trails that are currently closed and will require permission to access and 14.7km (7 per cent) is yet to be built. Of this 11.9km of the trail is already slated as part of Yarra Ranges Council’s Yarra Valley Trail stage 2b, which is yet to be funded.
Mr Parncutt said the vision is clear and the promise is public; the river will be known.
“The project still has much work ahead of it: approvals to secure, access agreements to finalise, infrastructure to build, the funds to pay for it, an app to develop, the stories the app will deliver, and a supportive community to be built,” he said.
“There are 220 kilometres of challenges between here and a ribbon-cutting exercise one day in the future.”
Ranges icon hits century
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
One of the Dandenong Ranges’ most recognisable landmarks is celebrating a major milestone, with the historic Log Cabin Tea House, now home to Kelly’s Bar and Kitchen, marking 100 years of food, hospitality and memories.
Sitting prominently on the corner of Ridge Road and the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, the venue has been part of life in the Hills for a century - welcoming generations of locals and visitors through its doors.
Kelly’s Bar and Kitchen owner Caroline Gelbert said reaching the centenary was a proud moment for her family and the wider community.
“My family and I are very proud to celebrate 100 years of the Log Cabin,” she said.
“It has always been an iconic landmark of the area and has served as a hospitality venue for locals and tourists alike. A place where people come to meet and enjoy themselves.”
The story of the Log Cabin began in 1926, the same year a new road linking Montrose and Olinda improved access to the Dandenong Ranges and opened the area to increased tourism and development.
Seeing the potential created by the influx of visitors, Agnes Portelli purchased a triangular parcel of land at the junction of Ridge Road and the new road, commissioned local builder and renowned axeman Jack Dodd to construct what would become the iconic Log Cabin Tea House.
According to Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society secretary Wendy Britt, the location played a major role in the venue’s longevity.
“The location is one of the key reasons it has survived,” Ms Britt said.
“It was built right where the new road came through, making it a perfect position for travellers and visitors coming into the hills.”
Built entirely from solid logs notched together and sealed with local clay, the original structure was constructed without nails.
Even the tables and chairs were handmade by Mr Dodd from rough timber, while stones for the fireplace were gathered from a nearby creek bed.
Under Ms Portelli’s management, the tea house quickly became a popular stop for day-trippers, walkers and guests staying in the district’s many guesthouses, visitors were served scones with jam and cream, cakes, sandwiches and tea, much of it made using local produce.
MsBrittsaidMsPortelli’sdeterminationhelped establish the venue as a local institution.
“She just practised and practised and eventually did all the cooking herself,” she said.
“Everything was local, and it became a place that everybody liked and enjoyed being in.”
The tea house continued operating through
changing times and changing ownership.
A significant extension was added in the 1970s while maintaining the original log cabin aesthetic.
Over the decades it hosted fundraising events, celebrations and community gatherings, while also becoming home for a period to celebrated author and artist Peg Maltby’s fairyland dioramas.
Ms Britt said the venue’s ability to adapt had been crucial to its success.
“It’s been able to reinvent itself over various owners and remain popular,” she said.
“In the early days it catered for day-trippers and visitors. In the 1970s people were going there for discos. Today it’s a place where locals gather for food, drinks, music and community events.”
She said the building itself remained a significant drawcard.
“The original log cabin is still there, and when you’re inside you can still see the logs and the stone fireplace,” Ms Britt said.
“It’s quite unusual and people just love it.”
The building’s heritage listing has helped preserve those features, something Ms Gelbert believes remains central to its appeal.
“The original part of the building is heritage listed,” she said.
“This helps maintain its character and charm which are integral to the Kelly’s experience. Through our food and drink offerings we are able to provide some contemporary local items which provide a nice blend of original character and modern offerings.”
Beyond its physical presence, both Ms Britt and Ms Gelbert said the venue’s greatest legacy has been its role as a community meeting place.
“Over the years, with various different owners giving their own style to the venue, it has been a place where people can come together and enjoy themselves,” Ms Gelbert said.
Ms Britt agreed, describing the venue as a place where people continue to connect.
“It’s still a real community meeting place,” she said.
“People greet one another, they’re friendly, and it’s somewhere people come together. It has been that way for a very long time.”
To mark the centenary, Kelly’s Bar and Kitchen will host a special weekend of live music from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June.
“We hope Kelly’s will continue to be a place where people can meet with family and friends and enjoy the hospitality and sense of community that it has always been known for,” Ms Gelbert said.
The historic Log Cabin Tea House, now home to Kelly’s Bar and Kitchen is celebrating 100 years of continuous operation in the Dandenong Ranges.
Local builder and renowned axeman Jack Dodd constructed the original Log Cabin Tea House in 1926.
Log Cabin Tea House has turned 100.
Lady Agnes Portelli (centre front), for whom the cabin was built, alongside her niece Evelyn Earney (right front). The two ran the tea house together. (Supplied)
The Birrarung Valley Walk was officially announced on Monday 15 June. (Bernie Phelan)
COMMUNITY GRANTS NIGHT Funding boost for groups
Local community groups have been celebrated at Community Bank Ferntree Gully’s 2026 Community Grants Night, with funding awarded to support grassroots sport, volunteering, social connection and community wellbeing across the Knox region.
The event recognised 38 local community organisations that are working to strengthen participation, resilience and belonging across Knox including:
• Foothills Community Care - $30,000 in total over three years to continue to provide meal nights and fund their socks and underwear initiative.
• Feed One Feed All - $45,000 in total over three years to continue their food relief program.
• The Basin Music Festival - $24,000 in total over three years to run the event.
• Knox Infolink - $36,000 in total over three years to continue to provide local food relief.
• Ferntree Gully Cricket Club - $4912 to upgrade their dance floor.
• Ben’s Place - $3000 to upskill their volunteer workforce.
• Upper Ferntree Gully Cricket Club - $3410 for their Community Participation and Inclusion Project.
• Coonara Community House - $5000 for their 50th Anniversary Community Festival.
• Knox and District Toy Library - $2000 for new STEAM toys.
• Ferntree Gully Tennis Club - $5000 for inclusive tennis and pickleball court upgrades.
• Forest Road MCHC Playgroup - $1695 for educational resources for social and constructive play.
Community Bank Ferntree Gully Chair Etienne Clauw said the Grants Night is a highlight of the Bank’s calendar and a powerful reminder of
what local banking makes possible.
“This night highlights the power of local banking. By choosing to bank locally, our customers make it possible for us to reinvest profits back into the community where it matters most,” she said.
“It’s how we keep strengthening Knox.” Often described as the heart of Knox, Community Bank Ferntree Gully has returned more than $6 million to local organisations over the past 25 years through grants, sponsorships and partnerships.
Community Bank Ferntree Gully congratulates all round one grant recipients and confirmed that applications for the second round of Community Grants will open soon, encouraging local not-for-profit groups to keep an eye on its website and social channels for details.
Feed One Feed All gratefully accepted $45,000 in total over three years to continue their food relief program. (Supplied)
Real and raw documentary
By Mikayla van Loon
Creating something real and raw that made a difference in someone’s life or inspired change was how one man without filmmaking experience completed his first documentary.
Mathew Love’s documentary Bleeding the Demon was selected for the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, with a showing at Cinema Nova on Wednesday 8 July.
The Mooroolbark resident’s personal story of childhood bullying, mental health challenges and weight gain was told in a powerful 38-minute film that he directed and produced.
But more than a raw look at the painful memories and hurt he was feeling for decades, it’s the remarkable transformation he pushed himself to achieve through tough physical training.
Telling his story, Mat said came initially from wanting to help others, but also needing to explain to his three daughters what triggered his internal struggles.
“When I was at my heaviest, my worst, it was bad, and I didn’t show up for them, I didn’t do anything with them, I didn’t go out with them, I didn’t do anything,” he said.
“It was a bad, dark place, and what they seen, and what they knew of me, it was shocking, and I wanted to show them why I wasn’t just an asshole.”
While Mat’s weightloss journey began when he was finally able to access gastric sleeve surgery two years ago, when he’d hit his heaviest weight of over 200 kilograms, his story begins as a Prep student attending school in Warrandyte.
Mat faced relentless bullying from older children when travelling home from school each day on the bus.
He described never feeling safe on the bus because it was an environment he couldn’t just leave until he got home.
When he did arrive home, where his Nan was living with them at the time, she would make him something to eat, it was a comfort but a relationship with food that would gradually turn negative.
Over time this evolved slowly until it was all he knew.
His weight hovered around 140 to 150 kilograms throughout much of his adult life. At 31, he suffered a heart attack.
But hitting rock bottom came when a comment from a colleague sent him down a spiral of depression, panic attacks and prescription drug abuse.
“That destroyed me for like five years, that was when I really didn’t leave the house…it was just like eating yourself to death,” he said.
“I had no control over emotions whatsoever…I couldn’t regulate. I was so worried constantly of dying every day because I was so big. When I would
bend over to tie my shoes, I would pass out.
“The panic attacks feel almost identical to the startings of a heart attack, and what your body’s going through. So every time the panic attack was starting, I’d flip back into the spiral of the loop, the fight of flight, and every single day, multiple times a day.”
Anxiety medication helped but Mat said as his body became used to the dose, he’d take more and more. Mat estimates he was taking around 16 times the recommended dose.
Mat was on waiting lists for gastric surgery for over seven years and then when the notification came through that he’d finally been approved, the pandemic delayed the surgery by a further two and a half years.
“That in itself, like I was excited, but even then there’s two and a half years of still just more of the same. (Of asking myself) ‘will I make it?’.”
The surgery itself forced Mat to stop eating, it’s designed to restrict how much you can consume.
He was slowly able to go for walks and small runs as the weight fell off but the negative thoughts were still there.
“I got down to a better weight, but what I found was I would slowly want to snack again, so it hadn’t fixed it,” he said.
“That’s why so many people go back and put a lot of weight on, because if you don’t fix your mind, try and sort those issues or work that out, you’ll just be in the same patterns.”
For Mat, gyms and traditional exercise had never felt comfortable. So instead, he grabbed a weighted
vest and core bags that he’d wear and carry on walks around his neighbourhood.
At first, training in this way was a punishment, it was “something that was hard, to just sort of go ‘I’ll teach you, mate’.”
“I’d go to the bush and go up hills and carry the weights up, and just do reps, ‘I’ll teach you, I’ll teach you’.”
As his weight dropped and his mind cleared, Mat said “eventually something changed”.
“Because you push yourself so physically, you exert yourself so much, something in your mind changes or opens up and everything falls away. You weren’t worried, thinking about anything. It’s almost like a runner’s high, but a little bit different,” he said.
“I’d start to have memories of when I was really young…I knew what had happened when I was a young kid, but I never gave it much thought of how it was impactful or that maybe that’s what caused it.
“That’s probably exactly why I was always hyper vigilant, on alert, always, even now, your hyper awareness from that young kid, so you’re always scanning for a threat, but you don’t need to be now, it’s just built in.”
Training has moved “beyond punishment” for Mat now and instead “I’ve created an identity, it’s just what I do”.
It also creates mental clarity so he can reflect on “good memories of nostalgic stuff with my Nanna”.
“It puts you in such a place, I think you’re more in tune with your environment, your surroundings, everything else goes away.
“It’s not even really about training or trying to be fit or trying to look strong, I couldn’t care less, but that was a byproduct of what came from doing what I was doing.”
That’s not to say everyday is not a challenge and a fight to stay disciplined but it’s one he chooses to make for himself but most importantly, for his daughters, Ava, Mila and Sophie, and partner Em.
“It’s still a struggle now. I always want to eat stuff that doesn’t go away, because you’ve got to eat. It’s not like you’re an alcoholic, and you can say ‘no more’, you’ve got to constantly eat to survive.
“I’m also aware in the back of my head, don’t get too complacent, that kind of worries me.
“I’ll eat anything now, but it’s just not overdoing it. It doesn’t rule me the way it used to rule me, the food.”
Having never filmed or directed anything before, not even owning a computer or editing software, the documentary first started with a three and a half hour long interview with Mat’s brother Brendan.
Speaking his truth around a fire with his brother was healing for Mat but he knew his story could help someone else, and so he taught himself how to edit footage.
What he created was not only a message to others feeling “stuck, broken and miserable” about hope but a promise to his daughters that the dad they missed for so many years will never leave them again.
Mat’s documentary will screen as part of the Film Festival’s Health Shorts. To find out more, visit: cinemanova.com.au/films/mdff26-going-dryhealth-shorts or mdff.org.au
Community and connection inspires newest exhibition
By Mikayla van Loon
The Mont De Lancey Ray Oliver Gallery has been reborn as a space for community, connection and conversation since artist-in-residence Donna Legg joined the historic homestead.
It was that sense of connection that inspired Donna’s second solo exhibition titled Creating Connection, an exploration of friendship and relationships.
“It came from people saying to me continuously how they connect to my art,” she said.
“What I’ve discovered is we’re creating connections around art here in this gallery, and it’s just amazing the amount of people who come in, and real connections are happening.”
The exhibition will showcase 10 new pieces, each connected in some way, shape or form. Donna’s previous artworks will also be on display, showcasing her diversity in style and subject matter.
As artist-in-residence, Donna said she’s heard from “countless people” about “how much they enjoy coming here for a visit and seeing the art”.
But not only that, how an artwork might remind them of something in their own life.
“Creating, being the art side of stuff, it can also be creating a connection, not necessarily just painting, but with people, how people connect with animals, places, so it’s not just a human connection,” she said.
Calling the exhibition Creating Connection
was also a reflection of the relationships that have formed within the regular art groups on Wednesdays and Fridays.
“I’ve had so many compliments on the art groups…saying how much joy they get out of coming,” Donna said.
“It’s art therapy for them, it gets them away from the house, and they’re all ages, it’s not just older retired people, it’s all ages that are now coming to this group, it’s men and women.”
Mont De Lancey president Jill Sebire said the atmosphere within the gallery and the reception area of the homestead has completely changed because of the positivity of the art groups.
“The camaraderie, just listening to these groups, all the chatter and the laughter, even if it’s quiet out there, it brings everything to life,” Jill said.
“It’s made this room, which was a wasted space, come alive.”
Jill said for many people, the art gallery has been a point of introduction to Mont De Lancey, but then they’ll decide to stay and explore the grounds or have lunch at the cafe.
“From Mont De Lancey’s perspective, it’s been wonderful too. It’s brought people in, and they’ve seen what we’ve got. It’s been a good allround project,” she said.
It’s Donna Legg’s second solo exhibition to date. (Supplied)
Art has also been a stepping stone for interested volunteers, after engaging with Donna herself, Jill or other volunteers.
Donna said some incredible conversations have sparked with visitors, who have been willing to share their stories, some who have cried tears of both joy and sadness, but have felt comfortable doing so.
She said it was a privilege to be trusted with people’s thoughts and feelings, but also “that’s the difference I like to make”, that it’s not just a gallery or art group but a place to feel safe and comfortable.
Creating Connection is showing from Saturday 20 June to Sunday 5 July at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead, located at 71 Wellington Rd, Wandin North. The Homestead is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Mat Love directed and produced his first ever documentary telling his story of childhood bullying and mental health. (Stewart Chambers: 559828)
Mat’s training style began as a punishment but soon became a freedom. (Supplied)
Mat’s training style began as a punishment but soon became a freedom. (Supplied)
Donna Legg’s exhibition was inspired by community and relationships formed in the Mont De Lancey Gallery. (Mikayla van Loon: 560568)
As art becomes medicine
By Tanya Steele
A personal and cathartic exhibition has made its way to Upwey, opening at the Burrinja Cultural Centre over the weekend and on until July 26.
“Portrait of the Artist Awaiting Prognosis” opened in the Lyre Gallery on Saturday 20 June, exploring the power that art brings to therapy and the ways it came along for one man’s journey of a cancer diagnosis, sitting alongside the bigger questions and energy surrounding life and death.
Olinda artist Jamie Saxe said he thought that his life was going to be about projecting energy into his art, but things changed rapidly after a diagnosis and the beginning of chemotherapy two years ago.
“It was extraordinarily gut-wrenching,” he said.
Designed to be raw and personal, Mr Saxe said the exhibition exemplifies the power that a creative practice can have to healing, bringing a person to a sense of now.
“It is really important when you’ve been on the verge of not knowing whether you’re going to live or die,” he said.
“I completely underestimated what cancer
does to your body, but particularly your mind and your energy.”
Both a musician and artist for some years, Jamie brings his abstract style to the fore with this exhibition, and his body of work deploys both abstract painting techniques and found materials to explore the complexities of receiving a cancer diagnosis and the realities of living on from there.
With a family history already heavy with the impacts of cancer, the artist decided to make his cancer journey public, but hadn’t planned to.
Jamie decided to show his process, through treatment and healing and to highlight some of the positives, and as he recovers, he often reflects on how lucky he is.
“You don’t really kind of get what cancer does to your head, and I had decided at the beginning of this process, over a year ago, that I wasn’t going to make it public,” he said.
At one point, suffering from the effects of chemotherapy, a piece was created when his condition had deteriorated quite badly.
“ I couldn’t swallow water; my throat and the ulceration were so bad,” said Jamie.
Named “Neutrophils”, the painting came after the artist sketched the drawing out of the feelings
and realities that came with the treatment process.
Jamie said that while it’s not as flowy as some of his other work, it pointed to some of the real lows of his journey.
“There was no way of feeling refreshed, water tasted like a combination of ocean seawater and clag from school mixed,” he said.
The paintings and reflections are reminders for Jamie, and he said he tries to appreciate how fortunate he is and finds it hard to express in words.
“The exhibition aims to show people that when you are in a really intense state of suffering, there are choices that you can make,” he said.
Jamie said the decision to open up and share came after some unique moments of connection that came about through chance, when regular people from across Melbourne attended his studio for the annual open studios exhibition, hosted by Burrinja.
The open studios event, which sees artists every year open their doors in March across two weekends, invites people curious about the inner sanctums and process of working artists in the Dandenong Ranges into an artist’s studio.
People going through cancer treatments, and with their own experiences, shared their stories with Jamie, who said the talks were cathartic for both him and the people he met.
“When I’m talking about this art, there’s just something that’s going on that feels healing and centred,” Jamie said.
“I want to be available and be a set of ears for people,” he said.
Jamie said he strongly believes in the power of nature and making a shift to that in his practice to express that was very spiritual and important.
“The best thing you can do in this life as a human being is be connected to nature,” he said.
“Be mindful of how disengaged we’re becoming as feeling human beings by just being obsessed with technology and AI.”
The free exhibition will be on at Burrinja until July 26, and Jamie will be on-site each Sunday throughout the exhibition from 12pm–1pm, allowing visitors to meet the artist and hear more about his work (excluding Sunday 12 July).
Portrait of the Artist Awaiting Prognosis is on display at the Burrinja Lyre Gallery at 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey and Burrinja Cultural Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
Four-stage music and food event to rock Upwey Village
By Tanya Steele
A free winter event is fast approaching, bringing music, food, and more across multiple locations in Upwey on Saturday 27 June.
From 2pm onwards, Upwey Sounds will bring its first free community event to the hills and everyone is invited to Upwey Village to celebrate.
President of the Upwey Community group, Jacqui Buckland, said volunteers are looking forward to bringing the hills to life.
“It will be a vibrant event that connects people, venues, and community organisations,” she said. From 2pm until 10pm, Upwey Sounds will see venues across Upwey come alive and make space for local budding musicians and established performers to bring their talents to the community for all to enjoy.
The family and child safe free community event will be offering four venue options, live music and a plethora of local talent, and the winter music celebration is being held with thanks to grant funding from both a Yarra Ranges Council partnership grant and funding through a Creative Victoria grant for live music
from local radio station 3MDR.
Local youth organisation The Forge Institute is running a youth stage open mic at the Foor Hills Community Care Hub and is still on the hunt for local musicians and performers aged 13 - 18 to perform. The lineup will bring local acts Peter Ess, David Green, Moonshine Coalition and Beyond the Sea playing sets back to back at the Upwey RSL, and performers for the other venues continue to be announced. Deep Steve is also set to play, bringing both country and eastern roots to the fore.
The Upwey Skate Park will have a beer garden, bar and food trucks set up at the Blue Hills stage, which will have a rotation of live local bands, while the micro pub, The Fat Goat on Morris Road, will also deal out live music and spin vinyl for all.
People can head to the Upwey Community group social media for more information as more musical talent is announced in the lead up to the inaugural event.
Upwey Sounds will play out across the Upwey RSL, the Upwey Skate Park, The Fat Goat and Foothills Community Hub on Saturday 27 June, from 2pm to 10pm.
Olinda artist Jamie Saxe brings “Portrait of the Artist Awaiting Prognosis” to Burrinja. (Tahlia Hetmann).
Using both abstract style and found materials, the artist will be on-site every Sunday to meet people. (Tahlia Hetmann).
From one corner of Upwey Village to another, four simultaneous music stages will see local talent bring Upwey Sounds to life. (Stewart Chambers: 490626).
Enjoy the craic at the ceili
A new not-for-profit community organisation called Celtic Links Inc will hold a family-friendly free event just as the school holidays begin, and its group of volunteers is excited.
Thanks to a Yarra Ranges grant, the group will host a music and dance session at the Mt Evelyn Community Hall on Sunday 28 June from 2pm to 4pm.
The ceilí will connect people from across the Yarra Ranges and give them a chance to join in the fun.
An Irish- or Celtic-themed ceilí is a style of group dance performed to live music. Very similar to Australian bush style dancing.
The bonfire ceilí at Mt Evelyn is free, and local musicians are invited to come along and join in to play.
Engaging local musicians and performers from established Celtic groups in the Yarra Ranges, Celtic Links plans to support local artists by giving them another avenue to connect through music, arts, and more.
President Mary Sullivan said Celtic Links was incorporated in 2025.
“We are a new and exciting organisation bringing family-friendly opportunities to participate in Celtic music and dance in the Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“Celtic Links held a successful and well-attended ceili in March to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. 28 June will celebrate the winter solstice, one of the great Celtic feasts.
“Dancers of all abilities are able to enjoy the experience of dancing to live music.
“The connection between well-being and participation in live music is well researched, reducing stress and creating a shared experience which encourages interaction.
“It is also a wonderful exercise.”
Local musicians from the Hills will play live music for the dances, and refreshments will be provided.
Any musicians interested in joining in with the ceili band can contact Celtic Links to find out more; all skill levels welcome.
The group hopes to bring regular music and dance events to communities across the Yarra Ranges, roving their events to different parts of the region.
They already held two ceilis earlier in the year with support from Burrinja in Upwey and another with Tecoma Uniting Church.
Vice President Kathryn Kelly said the main goal of Celtic Links is to create opportunities in the Yarra Ranges for Celtic musicians and people to connect and perform in inclusive,
family-friendly settings.
“If you’re interested in family-friendly cultural events where you and the kids can participate instead of only watching, that’s what we are about,” she said.
Listening to music together socially creates and strengthens bonds between individuals, and everyone can be a dancer, regardless of age or ability.
The event will also give people a chance to learn some older traditional Irish set dances, like the bonfire dance.
The bonfire dance was traditionally danced on 23 June, on St John’s Eve, for the June summer solstice or Midsummer in Ireland.
Book your free ticket at: trybooking.com/ events/landing/1589543
Find the Mt Evelyn Public Hall at 44 Birmingham Road, Mt Evelyn.
Multicultural Australia needs tolerance as much as sharing
By Maria Millers
Last week when Senator Pauline Hanson addressed the National Press Club she claimed that Western Civilisation and its values were under siege and that multiculturalism and immigration threaten our social cohesion.
She also invoked Judeo-Christian values as the bedrock of our culture.
So what are the values she considers under threat and what do we understand by values and culture?
Values are the principles or ideals that people consider important, desirable and worth pursuing.
Culture is the way people live and make meaning of the world. This can be through language, customs and traditions, food, the arts, religious beliefs, social norms and ways of thinking and behaving.
Across history and across very different civilisations, certain values appear again and again. They are expressed differently in different religions, philosophies, and cultures, but their persistence suggests they answer fundamental human needs.
Values can be broken down into moral, aesthetic and personal: from honesty, justice, kindness to what is beautiful or harmonious to what makes life meaningful or worth living like freedom, friendship and achievement.
The philosopher Isaiah Berlin’s theory of value pluralism argues that human beings pursue many genuine values—freedom, equality, loyalty, justice, tradition, creativity and these values can conflict with one another in multicultural societies.
But though people may reasonably disagree about important values, yet they still deserve respect and a place within a common political community.
Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor introduced the idea of ‘deep diversity’, an idea that a democratic state can remain united while recognising that different cultural or national groups may have fundamentally different ways of belonging to that state.
You may feel uncomfortable in seeing a woman in a hijab or birqa, seeing it as control.
But that woman may be wearing it as a proud symbol of faith and not oppression or control.
Moreover it may not have stopped her becoming a doctor, lawyer, politician. Nor does it in any way stop her being an Australian.
Taylor advocated respecting cultural diversity: recognising and valuing different traditions, languages, religions, and customs. And encouraging people to learn about and appreciate cultures other than their own.
While cultural differences are respected, societies benefit from common values such as de-
mocracy, equality, freedom, respect for the law, and mutual respect.
The poet T. S. Eliot suggested that civilizations change their customs and institutions, but certain moral questions remain constant.
Poetry from ancient epics to modern slam poetry repeatedly returns to the same concerns: how to live well, how to treat others, and what kind of society we should build.
In the epic poem The Odyssey Homer explores enduring cultural values such as loyalty, hospitality, courage and family.
In the following excerpt Odysseus finally makes it home after years of separation and Penelope tests his identity and his response, proving both his loyalty and enduring bond:
There is our secret sign; and none besides ourselves can know it. For our olive tree, thick-leaved and long-lived, grew within the court.
There is no single agreed list of Australian values, and Australians often disagree about what defines the country.
However, several themes consistently appear in Australian culture, history, and public life:
Australia is made up of people from hundreds of cultural backgrounds: different languages, different religions, different family traditions, different customs and cuisines. A treasure trove of potential.
A multicultural society and a monoculture society each have strengths and challenges, but many economists, sociologists, and historians argue that multicultural societies can offer significant advantages in an interconnected world. Many suggest that diversity enriches rather than weakens a society.
The Australian poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal envisioned Australia as a place where different histories could be acknowledged and shared.
Contemporary migrant writers such as Nam Le and Ouyang Yu often portray multicultural society not as a melting pot where differences disappear, but as a conversation in which different voices contribute to a larger national story. Certainly not assimilation.
A useful metaphor is a choir: a monoculture
society may sing with one clear voice, while a multicultural society can create richer harmonies, provided the singers share enough common purpose to stay in tune.
Australia’s development has been deeply dependent on migration from the beginning of European settlement.
That’s not to diminish the role of people born in Australia or to dismiss Indigenous Australians but rather to recognise that Australia’s population, economy, institutions, and workforce have been continually shaped by successive waves of newcomers.
Australia has not just benefited from migration, rather it is one of the central reasons Australia became what it is.
Beginning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, then British and Irish settlers, gold rush migrants from Europe, China and elsewhere, post war migrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and the more recent migrants from Asia, Middle East Africa and the Americas.
There are numerous examples of migrants and refugees who arrive with little advantage and go on to achieve extraordinary success in business, politics, science, the arts, and public life.
Malaysian born Penny Wong is now our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Merhreen Faruqi is the first Muslim woman elected to an Australian parliament, Holocaust survivor Fred Lowy founded the Westfield Group, Anh Do comedian, artist and author and the much loved science communicator, Dr Karl Kruszenicki to name a few. The list is endless.
Many would argue that Australia’s most enduring value may not be mateship itself, but the belief that everyone deserves dignity and a fair go.
However at the same time, we are ready to knock down to size anyone seen to be showing signs of the tall poppy syndrome.
Generally Australians admire success, particularly sporting heroes, volunteers and people who’ve overcome adversity as frequently shown by those we honour with awards.
In that sense, the distinctively Australian values of mateship, egalitarianism, and resilience are local expressions of broader human values such as compassion, fairness, and community.
But sport is undoubtedly a predominant cultural phenomenon in Australia as Bruce Dawe’s poem Life Cycle shows:
When children are born in Victoria they are wrapped in club-colours, laid in beribboned cots, having already begun a lifetime’s barracking.
Carn, they cry, Carn … feebly at first while parents playfully tussle with them for possession of a rusk: Ah, he’s a little Tiger!
(And they are …) Hoisted shoulder-high at their first League game they are like innocent monsters who have been years swimming towards the daylight’s roaring empyrean.
This week it was the Socceroos that held the nation’s attention.
Widely regarded as one of the most culturally diverse national teams in international football, they are often described as a reflection of modern multicultural Australia.
Football Australia notes that Socceroos players have been born in or trace family origins to more than 40 different countries, including Greece, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Lebanon, Kenya, Scotland, Turkey, China, and many others.
The Socceroos can be used as a contemporary example of how sport functions as a unifying Australian value: despite diverse ethnic backgrounds, players are brought together under a shared national identity.
In Australia, the usual approach is: protect cultural and religious freedom as much as possible, apply the law equally to everyone. Limit practices only when they conflict with fundamental rights or laws.
There is also a simple demographic reality: Australia’s population is relatively small compared with its land area. Without immigration, Australia’s population today would be substantially lower, which would likely mean a smaller economy, fewer workers to support an ageing population, a smaller domestic market and less cultural and intellectual diversity.
You do not have to abandon your heritage to become Australian. Values and cultures can be accommodated in multicultural societies by balancing cultural diversity with shared civic values. In Australia, this means respecting cultural differences while promoting equality, inclusion, and social harmony so that people from all backgrounds can contribute to society and feel a sense of belonging and participate in the same political and legal system
Many scholars, policymakers, and social commentators would say that the world is already moving toward a more multicultural reality, but the process is uneven and far from complete.
As we can already see in Australia, younger generations growing up more exposed to different cultures, ideas and environments through social media are more at home with multiculturalism.
So while racial and cultural diversity is becoming more common globally, the long-term success of multicultural societies may depend less on everyone sharing the same values and more on whether people can tolerate value differences within a shared system of laws and democratic institutions.
Tecoma Uniting Church Ceili in March was a lot of fun. (Supplied)
Musicians Ben, Von, Pete and James from Wooduck have performed as part of the ceili band events. (Supplied)
Help support our artists
For those wanting to support Australian artists, the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a great option, especially when/if the EOFY Countdown is on your mind. Established in 2003 and administered by Creative Australia – our government’s principal arts investment and advisory body – the ACF is an online fundraising platform for the Australian arts and cultural sector.
Through the platform, artists can run shortterm fundraising campaigns to support their projects.
There are also long-term campaigns to support ongoing work.
The ACF has endorsement as a deductible gift recipient confirmed by the Australian Tax Office. Therefore, any donations over $2 received via the platform are tax deductable.
PASSION FOR PROSE
WITH CHRISTINE SUN
More importantly, the platform actively ensures the veracity and viability of the registered projects. Before any artist receives the donations in the form of a grant from Creative Australia, they are required to confirm their readiness and capacity to undertake their project as proposed.
During the course of their projects, artists are also asked to provide periodic progress updates to their donors.
Then they need to submit a final report (“acquittal”) to explain how their funds have been used and the status of their projects.
As the platform proudly declares: “Each of these projects has been individual, impactful and inspiring, painting a broad and bold picture of our sector.”
Particularly notable is how the ACF helps celebrate the Australian Spirit.
“A 2022 study found that Australia is ranked fourth most generous country among 119 countries, with three in five Australians making a financial donation to a charity.”
This means not only will donors receive tax receipts, but 100 per cent of their donations will go directly towards artists. Individual and business donors can choose one or more specific projects from the following categories to benefit from their generous gifts – Literature, Visual Arts, Community Arts, Performing Arts, Arts or Languages of Indigenous Persons, Music, Crafts, Design, Television, Video, Radio, Film, and Movable Cultural Heritage.
CARTOON
As the ACF explains: “By funding an ACF project, donors connect with artists whose work they believe in and inspire others to do the same.”
“These reports are monitored and reviewed to ensure the agreement is appropriately fulfilled,” explains the platform.
The ACF’s catchphrase is “Make Culture Happen”.
Its data reveals that in the year 2024-25, a total of 1008 projects in our arts and cultural sector were supported by 20,000 donors, with the most common donation amount being $50.
Kemp’s theatre overview
Karralyka
Abracadabra
A Fantastic Family Magic Shoe
Starring the electrifying Luke Blaze, this 60 minute magic show brings big illusions, audience interaction and non-stop fun together with the unforgettable live experience.
From jaw-dropping tricks to hilarious moments that get the whole crowd involved, Abracadabra is designed to keep kids on the wedge of their seats and adults amazed from start to finish.
Expect surprises around every corner as magic leaps off the stage and imagination runs wild.
• Season: Thursday 2 July, 11am and 1.30pm.
I Am woman
I Am woman is a heartfelt journey through the timeless songs that shaped Australia’s musical legacy and inspired millions around the around the world.
Led by powerhouse performers who will bring authentically, warmth and elegance to the stage.
More than a tribute concert this is a story of resilience, grace and global success of – honouring three women who broke boundaries and carried the Australia sound to the world stage.
Audiences will laugh, sing along, reminiscent leave feeling uplifted by the timeless hits and the spirit of the women who made them famous.
A nostalgic feel good show of iconic songs,
heartfelt storytelling and world class performance - this is a celebration not to be missed.
This production celebrates and honouring Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and Judith Durham. The Round Arterial Award-winning Na Djirig Circus presents Arterial. An acrobatic performance linking people, Country and Culture, where the unseen bonds between the body and the lans become beautifully visible.
Four performers connect with each other physically in a display of breathtaking acrobatics with striking visual techniques and a score by avant-garde sound designer Darini Esposito.
Arterial will excite and move you as the performers celebrate what it means to be First People - the lifeblood of this country, the land and its beating heart.
• Season: Saturday 25 July at 8pm.
Vika and Linda
Vika and Linda are two of Australia’s most celebrated and enduring voices.
Captivating Australian audiences with their powerful harmonies over 35 years, experience their newest studio album Where Do You Come From?
Hear the songs and stories of their inimitable career as Vika and Linda tell their own story in full.
• Season: Sunday 12 July at 5pm.
Gemco Players Face Blind
A new darkly comic neo-noir musical thriller by Tom and Will Witham
What if your brother’s life depended on the one thing you can’t do?
A gangster with face blindness pursues a dangerous rival through an hallucinogenic psychotherapy retreat, desperate to regain what was stole and save his twin brother’s life.
The story is complex, but the production design minimalist. With a few chairs and tables and a riser we create the stark opaque reality of our protagonist , shifting the arrangement to become a bare apartment, a group-heavy therapy room, a hospital war.
• Season: Friday 17 July.
Equally significant is how the platform has informed our artists that asking for support is NOT embarrassing.
“The two main reasons people don’t give are: One. They haven’t been asked. Two. They don’t know you need the funds.”
“The majority of Australians [give to charities] because they care about the cause. You are not asking for money for yourself but are creating an opportunity for people to be involved in something they are passionate about.”
The Death of Robin Hood...
In The Death of Robin Hood, written and directed by Michael Sarnoski and based on a 17th-century ballad, an old, gravely wounded Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) confronts his violent past while recuperating at an island priory.
Sarnoski’s debut film was the surreal psychological thriller Pig, and The Death of Robin Hood reaffirms his skill for sumptuously-shot, compelling character pieces.
The Death of Robin Hood has stunning cinematography and grand folk-infused music, and Jackman carries himself with ferocity, bones-deep fatigue and a harried nobility as Robin the outlaw. Jodie Comer is a figure of remarkable grace as the prioress Sister Brigid, and Murray Bartlett offers some sardonic levity as a leper.
You could say this film peaks early, with volcanic emotions, unglamorous violence, a fiery battle and a mace-wielding priest’s vendetta, but the rest of the film is a poignant, gently tense journey of Robin finding some peace but failing to escape his murderous past. The Death of Robin Hood illustrates how complete redemption may be impossible – the first act has two separate instances of Robin killing children –but is still a worthy aim. Robin’s guarded but touching friendships with Brigid, the leper and Little Margaret (Faith Delaney), a girl he takes under his wing, do not absolve him of his past brutality, but said brutality doesn’t invalidate his present good deeds.
Sarnoski cites films such as The Virgin Spring, The Revenant and Valhalla Rising as influences, but a third-act beach scene shares some DNA with the diner scene in Pulp Fiction, as both scenes feature a bad man’s mercy.
The Death of Robin Hood may be too grim and slow for some viewers, but it’s a subtly devastating, superbly-crafted character study with a phenomenal performance from Hugh Jackman.
The Death of Robin Hood Starring Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer and Murray Bartlett MA15+ 4/5
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
Dessert made with milk and eggs (7)
Large printed pictures (7)
System of principles (5)
Perquisites (6)
Confirming (8)
Playing cards (6)
Brand of car, Mercedes – (4)
US state (4)
Governing body (6)
Compelling charm (8)
Hindu deity (6)
Establish by law (5)
From São Paulo, say (9)
Completely (7)
Screw in (7)
16 Most rapid (8)
17 Clouded eye lens (8)
18 Featuring as a principal performer (8)
21 Female organ of a flower (6)
22 Economy (6)
23 Large piece of artillery (6)
26 Truth (4)
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY LIFESTYLE ON OVER HALF AN ACRE
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY LIFESTYLE ON OVER HALF AN ACRE
NESTLED on a picturesque 2,350sqm (approx.) allotment in one of Gembrook’s most sought after locations, this spacious family residence delivers the perfect combination of comfort, versatility and relaxed country living. Designed to accommodate the changing needs of modern families, the thoughtfully considered floorplan offers multiple living zones, generous accommodation and exceptional indoor-outdoor entertaining spaces.
The heart of the home is the well-appointed kitchen, complete with an island bench and excellent storage, overlooking the expansive family and dining area where family and friends can gather with ease. A substantial lounge and games room provides an additional space to unwind, entertain or simply enjoy some quiet time away from the main hub of the home. For year-round comfort, there is ducted heating and evaporative cooling throughout.
There are four well-proportioned bedrooms and a dedicated home office providing flexibility for those working remotely or requiring a fifth bedroom option. The privately positioned main suite features a walk-in robe and ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms
are serviced by a central family bathroom and separate powder room.
Stepping outside, you’ll discover an outstanding alfresco area designed for year-round enjoyment. Complete with a built-in barbecue and outdoor fireplace, this inviting space is perfect for hosting family celebrations, summer gatherings or cosy evenings spent overlooking the expansive grounds. The established surrounds offer an abundance of space for children and pets to play, while those seeking a more selfsufficient lifestyle will appreciate the endless possibilities this generous parcel of land presents.
Adding further appeal is the oversized double garage with internal access, ample off-street parking and circular driveway.
Offering the charm of country living without compromising on convenience, this exceptional property is just moments from Gembrook’s vibrant township, local schools, cafes and community amenities.
A home of impressive proportions and timeless appeal, this is a rare opportunity to secure a lifestyle property where space, comfort and connection come together beautifully. ●
A VERSATILE FAMILY HOME WITH SPACE
LOVINGLY owned and cared for by the same family for more than 60 years, this is a rare opportunity to secure a versatile, warm and welcoming property in one of Boronia’s most peaceful and sought after locations.
Freshly painted and filled with natural light, the home spans almost 15 squares and has beautiful Tasmanian Oak floorboards on show. Designed with family living in mind, the flexible floorplan offers an impressive selection of living spaces, ensuring room for everyone to relax, entertain and enjoy.
An oversized sunken lounge creates a stunning focal point and flows effortlessly into the formal dining space, while the spacious kitchen overlooks a casual meals and TV area perfect for everyday living. Adding even more versatility, a separate sunroom provides a tranquil retreat where you can unwind with a book, enjoy your morning coffee, or simply take in the beauty of the surrounding established gardens that create your own private oasis.
Four well positioned bedrooms offer comfort and privacy for families of all sizes, with a layout ideally suited to multi-
generational living or growing children. A dedicated home office further enhances the home’s functionality, providing a peaceful workspace framed by calming garden views.
Comfort is assured year round with air conditioning in the main living area and a recently updated ducted heating system, while outside, the wrap around decking invites you to relax and enjoy the greenery and nearby forest surrounds. A double carport provides adequate space for dual vehicles while two garden sheds allow plenty of room for extra storage.
Perfectly located just moments from Koolunga Native Reserve and only a few doors from the Pinevale Court Playground, this exceptional property enjoys the serenity of a foothills setting while remaining conveniently close to schools, shops, transport and all the amenities that makes this tightly held pocket such a desirable place to call home.
Offering space, flexibility and a rich family history, this much-loved home is ready to welcome its next generation of owners and create memories for years to come. ●
HOME FOCUS
STORYBOOK CHARM IN A SERENE FOREST SETTING
TUCKED away at the end of a peaceful nothrough road in the heart of the breathtaking Dandenong Ranges, the enchanting Seaview Cottage (circa 1927) delivers a rare blend of timeless character, contemporary comfort, and tranquil Hills living.
Surrounded by lush established gardens and backing directly onto the picturesque Moore Break walking trail, this captivating residence offers a lifestyle immersed in nature, privacy and serenity. Wander through the magical Sherbrooke Forest to discover iconic local attractions including Sherbrooke Falls, Sherbrooke Creek and an abundance of scenic picnic spots perfect for family afternoons.
Positioned on approximately 1,021sqm, the home has been thoughtfully rejuvenated over time to suit modern family living while preserving its charming storybook appeal.
Elevated ceilings, polished timber floors and beautiful natural light create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout.
Designed with flexibility and family functionality in mind, the residence features multiple living zones, three generous bedrooms, two stylish bathrooms and a stunning Hampton’s inspired kitchen complete with stone benchtops, tiled splashbacks and a 900mm cooktop. A spacious covered alfresco seamlessly extends the living space outdoors, creating the perfect setting for year round entertaining amongst the trees.
The luxurious master suite enjoys direct alfresco access alongside built-in robes and a beautifully appointed ensuite, while two charming attic style bedrooms upstairs are framed by soaring cathedral ceilings, enhancing the home’s unique character.
A cozy fireplace anchors the formal lounge, while a dedicated front study with leafy green outlook provides an idyllic work from home environment.
Property Features
• Charming circa 1927 character home in a peaceful forest setting
• Three spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms
Luxurious master suite with ensuite, built-in robes and alfresco access
Elegant family bathroom with freestanding clawfoot bathtub
Two attic style upstairs bedrooms with cathedral ceilings
• Stunning Hampton’s style kitchen with stone benchtops & 900mm cooktop
• Multiple living areas designed for family flexibility
• Formal lounge with cozy fireplace
• Polished timber floorboards and elevated ceilings throughout
Dedicated home office/study with tranquil garden outlook
Spacious laundry with stone benchtops
Split system heating and cooling plus ducted heating
Expansive covered alfresco entertaining area
• Beautifully landscaped 1,021sqm (approx.) allotment
Private access to the Moore Break walking trail
Large garden shed, manicured lawns and double carport
• Additional off-street parking
The Location
Perfectly balancing peaceful seclusion with everyday convenience, this exceptional location places you moments from local cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, walking trails and some of the region’s most loved natural attractions including Alfred Nicholas Gardens and Sherbrooke Falls. Families will also appreciate the proximity to Ferny Creek Primary School, Kallista Primary School and Sherbrooke Community School. ●
THE COMPLETE FAMILY PACKAGE ON OVER HALF AN ACRE
SET on a lovely 2,190m2 allotment with the rare bonus of dual street access from Amphlett Avenue and Suffolk Avenue, this inviting family property delivers space, flexibility and lifestyle appeal in a peaceful Cockatoo setting.
Designed for comfortable family living, the well-presented home offers multiple living and dining zones that allow everyone to spread out and enjoy their own space. A generous lounge and dining area is complemented by a separate living room with cosy wood fire, while the centrally positioned kitchen features stainless steel appliances, dishwasher and excellent connection to the covered outdoor entertaining area.
Accommodation is ideal for growing families, comprising four spacious bedrooms plus a study or optional fifth bedroom. The
privately positioned main bedroom includes a walk-in robe and beautifully renovated ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are well serviced by the family bathroom and practical laundry.
Step outside and discover a backyard that truly sets this property apart. The large covered patio creates the perfect setting for entertaining year-round, from relaxed family dinners to weekend gatherings with friends. The balance of the property offers plenty of room for children to play, space for caravans, trailers or extra vehicles.
Ideally located just moments from Cockatoo Township, local shops, cafes and the primary school are all at your fingertips. Offering a substantial allotment, dual access and a flexible family floorplan, this is a rare lifestyle opportunity with space to enjoy. ●
4
CHARMING LOG CABIN LIVING
SET on a 979sqm in the heart of Cockatoo, this character-filled three-bedroom log cabin offers warmth, comfort and a relaxed Hills lifestyle.
An undercover front verandah sets the tone, inviting you inside to the open plan living and dining area where timber floors, a crackling wood fire and air conditioning create a comfortable space to enjoy yearround. Stepping down from the dining area, the spacious lounge is bathed in natural light thanks to large windows that frame the garden outlook and provide direct access to the front deck, making it the perfect spot to unwind.
The kitchen is designed for everyday practicality, featuring excellent bench space, ample storage and a separate breakfast bar for casual meals and gathering with family and friends.
Positioned along the hallway, the master bedroom includes built-in robes, while two
additional bedrooms are serviced by a central family bathroom. A practical laundry with a second toilet and direct access to the backyard adds further convenience.
Outside, there is plenty of room to enjoy the established surrounds, with a garden shed for additional storage, a double carport and ample off-street parking.
Offering the charm of a classic log cabin combined with everyday functionality, this inviting home presents an excellent opportunity for first-home buyers, downsizers or those seeking a peaceful Hills retreat.
This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.
Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●
EquestrianLifestyleon12AcresinMacclesfieldHorseCountry.
Setbehinda gatedentrywitha horseshoedriveway,thisestablished12-acreequestrian &hobby farminsought-afterMacclesfieldHorseCountrydeliversa wonderfulrurallifestylewithexcellenthorse facilities.Theinvitinghomefeaturesa light-filledloungewithfloatingfloors,woodfire &splitsystem, whilethemasterbedroomincludes awalk-inrobe &ensuite.A secondbedroom,study &third bedroomareservicedbya centralbathroom.Thespaciousopenplankitchen,living& diningzone includes alargeislandbench,gascooktop,dishwasher,butler’spantry& slowcombustionwood heater,witheasyaccesstoverandahs& entertainingareas.Outside,horseloverswillappreciate6 fencedpaddocks,a grassarena,3 stables& tackroomwithconcretefloor& power.Completewith extensiveshedding,orchard,pizzaoven,dam &approx.22,500Lwaterstorage. 285MacclesfieldRoadMacclesfield$1,400,000 -$1,520,000
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ARare40-AcreHoldingwithWater,Views &EndlessPotential. Spanning40gentlyundulatingacres,thissun-filledruralholdingdeliversspace,watersecurity& seriouspotential.A windingcreek,3 dams &a valuable2-megalitrewaterlicenceprovide arocksolidfoundationforlifestyleliving,livestockorfuturevision.Elevatedpointsacrossthelandcapture sweeping360-degreeviews,creatingthosepostcardmomentswherethecountrysiderollsawayin everydirection.Atthecentresits aneat& original2-bedroomhome,comfortablenow& readyfor renovation,extensionorreinventionovertime.Practicalinfrastructureincludesa machineryshed, garage &establishedcattlerace& yards,makingthepropertyimmediatelyusableforfarmingor hobbystock.Withsunnypaddocks,naturalwatersources& multipleaccesspoints,everythingisin placeforeasyruralliving.
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FTG crowned Club of Year
It was another busy and successful week for Ferntree Gully Tennis Club, highlighted by a grand final victory and winning another award.
In the Knox District Night Tennis Association
Thursday Section 7 Preliminary Final, Ferntree Gully defeated Mountain Gate 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The win secures the team a place in the Grand Final, where they will compete for the premiership next week.
In Midweek Eastern Metropolitan Region Ladies’ Tennis Association Section 6, Ferntree Gully was defeated by Heatherdale 4-2.
Waverley Tennis Association competition saw strong competition for the club.
In Section A1, Cranbourne defeated Ferntree Gully 2-0, while Knox City recorded a 5-3 win over Ferntree Gully in Section A7. Section A8 had a bye.
The club’s junior teams continued to perform strongly in Eastern Region Tennis competition.
Rubbers 25 defeated Upwey South 4-2, while Rubbers 31 edged out Wantirna Blue 4-3 in a close encounter.
Rubbers 34 went down to Selby 5-1.
In junior development competition, JOSD 8 recorded a convincing 5-1 victory over Emerald, while JDC 3 defeated Montrose Blue 2-1.
JDC 2 was forced to forfeit against Yarra Glen.
The club’s popular All Abilities Tennis program once again attracted a strong turnout despite the cold winter conditions.
Participants enjoyed some excellent rallies and spent time developing their serving skills in a fun and inclusive environment.
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club was named Club of the Year at the Knox Sport and Leisure Awards last week.
The award recognises the club’s outstanding achievements both on and off the court, including its commitment to quality governance, strong
leadership, club growth, community participation, inclusion and volunteerism.
Club President Paul Proctor, Secretary Rebecca Redfern and Committee Member Laura Ryan accepted the award from Knox Mayor
Paige Kennett.
In his acceptance speech, Paul thanked Knox City Council for its ongoing support of the club, as well as Scott Riddle and the team at Tennis Victoria.
The club was also proud to see Committee Member Laura Ryan recognised as a finalist in the Women’s Leadership Award category, acknowledging her significant contribution to the committee and club community.
586, Elsternwick VIC 3185, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au by 5pm Wednesday 15th July 2026.
4.Further information can also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3782005
Telstra Limited A.C.N 086
Paul Proctor, Matthew Doran (Tennis Victoria), Laura Ryan, Scott Riddle (Tennis Victoria) and Rebecca Redfern.
SPORT
A mixed bag for Rangers
Monbulk Rangers FV Men’s travelled to Tally Ho Reserve on Saturday to take on the Mount Waverley Wolves.
First up was the reserves match.
Due to injuries, Monbulk were only able to field one substitute.
However, the Rangers proved to be the better side on the day, scoring goals in both halves.
The opening goal was nicely taken by winger Aiden Bede, who rose at the back post to head home.
The Rangers were constantly on the attack, hitting the post twice before Jaydon Steele doubled the lead with a lovely, curled finish into the bottom corner after a Bede cut-back.
Monbulk capped off a brilliant first-half performance when Yahya Yoqobi floated in a free kick which was headed home by right-back Patrick Knight.
Goalkeeper Theo Hodgkinson also made several outstanding saves to keep Mount Waverley scoreless before half-time.
The second half saw the Wolves pull a goal back, but Monbulk quickly restored their threegoal advantage when Steele grabbed his second of the afternoon, finishing off a classy through
ball from super sub Jimmy Hulbert.
The Rangers ran out convincing 4-1 winners.
Unfortunately, the seniors’ match told a different story. Mount Waverley got off to a flying start, scoring early in the first half.
Monbulk responded just five minutes later when Jack Higgins’ shot fell to the feet of Steve McRae, who smashed the ball into the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.
Not long after, the Wolves regained the lead and took a 2-1 advantage into the half-time break.
Similar to the first half, Mount Waverley came out firing after the restart, scoring another two goals to make it 4-1 and complete their forward’s hat-trick.
That proved to be the final score as Monbulk suffered their second consecutive defeat.
Depending on other results around the league, the Rangers could drop to second on the ladder.
However, at the time of writing they remain in top spot.
The senior side has hit a slight rough patch but will be looking to bounce back next Saturday when they travel to face Seaford United, who are also coming off a defeat.
Around the region’s football ovals and netball courts
By Armin Richter
Football
Premier Division
• Seniors: Woori Yallock 9.5.59 def Warburton-Millgrove 6.5.41; Olinda-Ferny Creek
7.9.51 def Monbulk 3.9.27; Upwey-Tecoma 9.17.71 def Officer 8.17.65; Healesville 6.2.38 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 3.11.29; Wandin 8.14.62 def Mt. Evelyn 6.8.44
• Reserves: Warburton-Millgrove 6.2.38 def Woori Yallock 3.5.23; Olinda-Ferny Creek 6.7.43 def Monbulk 5.8.38; Upwey-Tecoma 9.12.66 def Officer 7.7.49; Gembrook-Cockatoo 8.3.51 def Healesville 4.5.29; Mt. Evelyn 17.11.113 def Wandin 1.2.8
• Under 18 (combined): Pakenham 7.4.46 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 5.13.43; Monbulk 7.6.48 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.8.14; Officer 8.10.58 def Upwey-Tecoma 7.2.44; Healesville 10.10.70 def Yarra Glen 2.1.13; Woori Yallock 6.14.50 def Warburton-Millgrove 4.4.28; Wandin 9.3.57 def Mt. Evelyn 3.11.29; Seville 5.11.41 def Alexandra 3.8.26
• Women (Div 1): Upwey-Tecoma 8.12.60 def Belgrave 0.1.1; Healesville 4.3.27 def Warburton-Wesburn 2.5.17; Mt. Evelyn 6.8.44 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.1.7; Pakenham bye Division 1
• Seniors: Powelltown 13.9.87 def Yarra Junction 5.13.43; Belgrave 11.14.80 def Yea 6.10.46; Pakenham 22.10.142 def Emerald 7.5.47; Seville 11.7.73 def Alexandra 7.9.51; Yarra Glen bye
• Reserves: Powelltown 8.7.55 def Yarra Junction 6.12.48; Belgrave 15.15.105 def Yea 1.2.8; Pakenham 18.10.118 def Emerald 2.3.15; Seville 6.7.43 def Alexandra 4.6.30; Yarra Glen bye
• Women (Div 2): Seville 5.6.36 def Officer 3.8.26; Emerald 8.17.65 def Woori Yallock 0.2.2; Yea 2.4.16 def Wandin 1.1.7; Gembrook-Cockatoo 3.0.18 def Thornton-Eildon 1.0.6; Netball
Premier Division
• A Grade: Healesville 38 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 37; ROC 70 def Upwey-Tecoma 21; Warburton-Millgrove 35 drew Woori Yallock 35; Olinda-Ferny Creek 55 def Monbulk 48; Mt. Evelyn 49 def Wandin 44
• B Grade: Gembrook-Cockatoo 47 def Healesville 32; ROC 67 def Upwey-Tecoma 25;
Woori Yallock 71 def Warburton-Millgrove 25; Monbulk 67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 35; Mt. Evelyn 47 def Wandin 29
• C Grade: Gembrook-Cockatoo 44 def Healesville 15; Woori Yallock 46 def WarburtonMillgrove 28; Monbulk 40 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 21; Wandin 27 def Mt. Evelyn 25; ROC bye
• D Grade: Woori Yallock 22 def WarburtonMillgrove 13; Monbulk 28 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 12; Mt. Evelyn 38 def Wandin 21; Gembrook-Cockatoo 18 def Healesville 16; ROC bye
• Under 17: Monbulk Maroon 44 def Gem-
brook-Cockatoo 11; Woori Yallock 47 def Warburton-Millgrove 15; Monbulk Gold 42 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 12; ROC Blue 22 def ROC White 18; Mt. Evelyn 57 def Wandin 13
• Under 15: Monbulk Gold 34 def Pakenham Gold 13; Pakenham Maroon 41 def Monbulk Maroon 11; Wandin Red 28 def Wandin Blue 16; ROC Blue 38 def ROC White 8 Division 1
• A Grade: Yarra Junction 63 def Powelltown 40; Belgrave 65 def Yea 42; Seville 82 def Alexandra 22; Pakenham 46 def Emerald 17; Yarra Glen bye
• B Grade: Yarra Junction 78 def Powelltown
22; Yea 39 def Belgrave 32; Seville 79 def Alexandra 15; Pakenham 56 def Emerald 21;
Glen bye
• C Grade: Yarra Junction 34 def Powelltown 25; Belgrave 29 def Yea 24; Seville 65 def Alexandra 14; Pakenham 41 def Emerald 21; Yarra Glen bye
• D Grade: Powelltown 33 def Yarra Junction 24; Yea 29 def Belgrave 23; Pakenham 39 def Emerald 14; Seville + Yarra Glen bye
Yarra
Under 17: Seville White
Yarra Junction 4; Emerald
Pakenham Maroon 11; Seville Blue 49
Alexandra 11; Pakenham Gold bye
The Monbulk Under 18s had a big win against Olinda. (Supplied)
Dylan Davis drives forward. (Supplied)
Bloods edge rivals Monbulk
By Armin Richter Football Seniors
Olinda-Ferny Creek are Monbulk’s nearest and oldest rivals since first meeting on July 26, 1902, when the Ferny Creek footballers were known as the One Tree Hill club. Just on 124 years since that first encounter the two rivals met again, this time for the annual Murphy’s Mitre 10 Cup clash. A cold morning in Olinda partially cleared in the afternoon, however the ground remained slippery after the drizzly showers had passed.
The Olinda ground has not been a happy hunting ground for the Hawks recently, having not tasted success there since 2015. Monbulk’s trademark aggression and contest was on show, met by an equally determined Blood’s team, leading at times to a scrappy affair. Olinda kicked three goals to none in the opening term which largely set up the match for them. Their tight defence limited Monbulk’s chances for scoring and was ultimately the difference between the two sides. Monbulk are in a battle with Upwey-Tecoma, Woori Yallock and Officer in a fight to get fourth or fifth place and will meet those three teams in the next three weeks which will shape their finals chances.
Monbulk 3.9.27 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek
7.9.51
Best: Mitchell Veit, Aaron Hoare, Lochlan Beecroft, Riley Finlay, Caleb Quirk, Joshua Spencer Goals: Max Thornton 1, Taylor Joyce 1, Lachlan Smith 1
Reserves
Sitting in fifth place the Hawks knew that they had to beat teams below them on the ladder to be a show for finals. The eighth placed Bloods put up a tenacious arm wrestle in a match that was tight all day. Monbulk held a narrow advantage heading into the final term but conceded a couple of goals in the fourth which allowed Olinda to claim the win. A highlight was Ming Poynton kicking his first goal since crossing to the club from a soccer background.
Monbulk 5.8.38 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek
6.7.43
Best: Ming Poynton, Noah Rutherford, Daniel Banks, Jed Noar, Harry Fleming, Trent Purcell
Goals: Callan Brinkmann 2, Thijs Koelewyn 1, Daniel Banks 1, Ming Poynton 1
Under 18s
With the return of captain Will Hughson, out injured since the season opener, and five Under 16s helping out, Monbulk fielded their best side in weeks. The Hawks had lost the corresponding fixture in Round 1 by four goals earlier in the year but the wet contested football saw them thrive and register a resounding win. This lifts them to ninth in the fourteen team competition.
Monbulk 7.6.48 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.8.14
Best: Thomas Hill, William Hughson, Finley Ede, Charlie Seamer, Isaac Mullinder, Blake Nicholson
Goals: Thomas Hill 3, Lachie McConchie 1, Bailey McConchie 1, William Hughson 1, Jonah Van Seters 1
Netball
A Grade
Olinda-Ferny Creek threw down the challenge to Monbulk from the start and gained an early ascendancy that the Hawks were not able to wrest back from them. The Hawks were forced into uncharacteristic errors, upon which the Bloods claimed a 7 goal win. Monbulk remain in third but are now level with Olinda.
Monbulk 48 def by Olinda-Ferny Creek 55
Best: Nicole Macdowell, Alice Nicholas, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 39, Jorja Wragg 9
B Grade
After quarter time Monbulk had a stranglehold on this match as they ran out convincing winners by 32 goals. The Hawks now sit two games inside the Five as they start their campaign on the second half of the season.
Monbulk 67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 35
Best: Siobhan Munday, Chloe Baker, Catherine Braniska
Goals: Chloe Baker 43, Elly Stewart 21, Dayna Walsham 3 C Grade
Having gained enormous belief and confidence from last week’s win, Monbulk again played the netball that they are capable of and stormed away with a morale boosting win over Olinda by 19 goals.
Monbulk 40 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 21
Best: Candice Freeling, Maddy Buckland, Hayley
Donald Goals: Maddy Buckland 22, Grace Sands 12, Chloe Simmonds 3, Isla Stubbs 3 D Grade
Jamie Sands became the first Monbulk netballer to reach 300 games in this wet and cold encounter. Jamie was a member of the inaugural squad in 2005, played in the 2006 A Grade and 2025 D Grade premierships and was the club A Grade Best & Fairest in 2011. The club life member was fittingly also best on court in this match and her career will be celebrated at the upcoming Ladies Day luncheon on July 4.
Monbulk 28 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 12
Best: Jamie Sands, Katrina Wragg, Caitlin Utting
Goals: Jamie Sands 16, Ella Flynn 7, Emiley Asling 5
Under 17s
The two Monbulk teams met and comfortably defeated Gembrook and Olinda respectively at the wet Olinda courts.
Monbulk Maroon 44 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 11
Best: Isla Stubbs, Chelsea Ferguson, Milla Puddy
Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 30, Ahliya Wragg 12, Isla Stubbs 2
Monbulk Gold 42 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 12
Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Bridie McCormick, Mia
Hylard
Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 29, Bridie McCormick 12, Stevie Mullinder 1
Under 15s
Both the Gold and Maroon teams travelled to
Pakenham and came away with mixed results. The Gold team continued their unbeaten winning run, now stretching to 9 games, while the Maroon team put up a good effort against the second placed Pakenham Maroon team but came up short.
Monbulk Gold 34 def Pakenham Gold 13
Best: Amelia Magarry, Ruby Irwin, Eden Murphy
Goals: Eden Murphy 23, Amelia Magarry 11
Monbulk Maroon 11 def by Pakenham Maroon 41
Best: Hayden Brady, Olivia Dalman, Ella Osborne
Goals: Isabelle Kos 10, Grace Gaunt 1
Action from the Monbulk v Gembrook Under 17s game played at Olinda. (Supplied)
Olinda’s Will Meyer spoils Monbulk’s Riley Broadbent in the Under 18s.
Monbulk’s Emiley Asling shoots for goal in the D Grade match at Olinda in the rain.
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